Ohio Libraries May Be Closed But Digital Resources Available 24/7
With the highest library use per capita in the nation, Ohio’s public libraries are cherished community gathering places. But right now libraries have made the very difficult decision to close their doors to help stop the community spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Today’s public libraries are so much more than brick-and-mortar buildings and in many ways they are always open with materials and resources available online through the library’s website. Ohio’s public libraries have digital resources to keep you informed and entertained through this unprecedented time.
Here’s what is available at most public libraries even when the physical building is closed:
- Free WiFi can be accessed 24/7 in library parking lots
- eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines using Overdrive/Libby app to access
- eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and music through hoopla
- Five hours per day of streaming music through Freegal
- Free online learning through Gale Courses and LinkedIn Learning
- Online arts and crafts projects, including patterns and templates, on Creativebug
- Acorn TV
- Genealogy resources like Ancestry, HeritageQuest, African American Heritage, Fold3 Military Records
For Kids
- World Book Online
- Kids InfoBits
- Early World of Learning
- Explora
- BookFlix
- TumbleBooks
- Kanopy Kids
- TrueFlix
- hoopla for kids
- OverDrive/Libby for Kids
To gain access to these resources, you’ll need a library card from an Ohio public library. You may need to log in through your library’s website. To find a public library in Ohio near you, please visit https://oplin.org/fal/.