Perry Cook Memorial Public Library
🏢 SEO Library Consortium · Mt Gilead, Ohio
Perry Cook Memorial Public Library
Perry Cook Memorial Public Library has been "Opening Doors" in north Morrow County since 1961, when Perry and Belle Cook's $15,000 bequest brought a public library to the Johnsville community for the first time. Located at 7406 County Road 242 in Shauck — between U.S. Route 42 and State Route 314 — it serves the Northmor Local School District across north Morrow and south Richland counties with print collections, digital resources, and a full calendar of community programs.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 7406 County Road 242, Mt Gilead, OH 43338
Phone: (419) 362-7181
Website: perrycooklibrary.org
Plus Code: 86GVJ8CQ+97 (Mt Gilead, OH)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Perry Cook Memorial Public Library
Perry Cook Memorial Public Library was born from an act of generosity: when Perry Cook and his wife Belle died, they left a bequest of $15,000 specifically to create a public library for the Johnsville community in north Morrow County. The library opened for the first time in 1961 — initially just a few hours a day, a few days a week — and has expanded steadily in the decades since. Today it holds nearly 30,000 print volumes alongside a substantial digital collection and circulates more than 29,000 items a year for a service area of roughly 7,770 residents. The library serves the Northmor Local School District, covering portions of north Morrow County and south Richland County. Its mission — "enlightens and enriches the people of Morrow County by providing responsive services" — shows up in a program calendar that runs 255 community events a year, including children's story times, STEM workshops, digital literacy classes, job skills training, family book bingo, Lego Day, and a Seed Library. Perry Cook is a member of the SEO (Serving Every Ohioan) Library Consortium and provides statewide digital access through OPLIN's Ohio Web Library.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1961 on a $15,000 bequest from Perry and Belle Cook — the library that brought public library service to Johnsville and north Morrow County
- Serves the Northmor Local School District across north Morrow and south Richland counties, with ~7,770 residents in the service area
- Runs 255 community programs per year — family book bingo, Lego Day, STEM workshops, digital literacy classes, seed library, and more
- 29,600+ print volumes plus a large digital collection through the SEO Library Consortium and OPLIN statewide resources
- Located on County Road 242 in Shauck between U.S. Route 42 and State Route 314 — easy to reach from across north Morrow County
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Perry Cook cardholders can explore and borrow through Ohio's statewide digital network:
📚 Services
- Print collection of 29,600+ volumes plus audiobooks, magazines, and video materials
- Public computers with internet access, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- SEO Library Consortium borrowing — shared automation through Symphony
- Seed Library with open seed distribution each spring
- Meeting and program space
- Research assistance and reader's advisory
- Interlibrary loan
- Digital literacy training and one-on-one technology help
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and early childhood literacy programs
- Family book bingo (1st Saturday of the month, 11am-noon)
- Lego Day (2nd Saturday, Jan-April)
- Make and Take Day crafts (3rd Saturday, Jan-April)
- STEM workshops and science activities
- Adult digital literacy and job skills classes
- Spelling bee and civic literacy events
- Quilting and sewing programs
- Pound fitness class
- Summer reading program
- Community garden outreach (Johnsville)
📍 Nearby Libraries in Morrow County & Central Ohio
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Perry and Belle Cook, and why is this library named after them?
Perry Cook and his wife Belle were residents of the Johnsville area in north Morrow County. When they died, they left a bequest of $15,000 specifically to establish a public library for the community. Their gift made the Perry Cook Memorial Public Library possible — it opened in 1961 and has served north Morrow County ever since, bearing the Cooks' name in recognition of the founding gift.
What school district does Perry Cook Memorial Library serve?
The library serves the Northmor Local School District, which covers portions of north Morrow County and south Richland County. Its programs and collections are designed to support students, families, and adults throughout that service area, including communities around Johnsville, Shauck, and adjacent areas of the district.
What is the Seed Library at Perry Cook, and when can I pick up seeds?
Perry Cook Memorial Library maintains a Seed Library where patrons can borrow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds for their gardens at no cost. Distribution typically begins each February, with new seed packets announced on the library's Facebook page and website. Seeds are available while supplies last — check perrycooklibrary.org for each year's start date.
Does Perry Cook Memorial Library have Saturday programs?
Yes. Saturday mornings (roughly January through May) the library runs a family program series: Family Book Bingo on the 1st Saturday (winners choose a new book), Lego Day on the 2nd Saturday, and Make and Take crafts on the 3rd Saturday — all at 11 a.m. The 4th Saturday typically features a special event such as a cooking competition, painting class, or community activity. The library is open Saturdays 10am-2pm.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.