Ohio Library News 04.03.20

Our doors may be closed, but Ohio’s public libraries are busy — improvising and quickly responding to meet the needs of their communities.

virtual storytime

Beth Stafford of Shelby reads her children’s book, Chin Up Chinchilla, as part of the Mansfield Richland County Public Library’s virtual storytime series. [richlandsource.com]

In the middle of this COVID-19 crisis, libraries are going above and beyond to help their communities with necessary resources, services and entertainment. Here’s just a sample of how libraries are providing much-needed support in these challenging times:

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Toledo Lucas County Public Library and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County are providing vital services, from distributing meals to children to making library vehicles available to those delivering supplies.

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Many of Ohio’s public libraries are leaving their WiFi on 24/7 and boosting their signals so people can access the internet in the library parking lot.

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With Ohio parents and students adjusting to online school, Cuyahoga County Public Library is offering some help with free online tutoring.

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Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library quickly provided a run-down of everything available in their Digital Library to the local newspaper.

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The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County posted a virtual programming schedule on its website, including a Blackout Poetry Contest for teens and adults.

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Euclid Public Library held a Facebook LIVE event to promote the 2020 Census.

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Mansfield Richland County Public Library started a virtual storytime series which includes local authors.

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For Poetry Month, Shaker Library staff will be sharing a poem a day from their homes.

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Akron-Summit County Public Library is using a sewing machine from the library’s TechZone to make surgical masks for healthcare workers and is providing a pattern, directions, and instructional video for those who sew at home.

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Greene County Public Library is partnering with the Greene County Combined Health District to start 3-D printing items to help with PPEs. These items will start with accessories (mask clips) and may progress as they explore the technology. In this effort, GCPL is coordinating with the Dublin Schools, which is developing a capacity to print similar PPE items. GCPL hopes to help forge partnerships between health departments throughout the region. In addition, GCPL is sharing its Spark Place sewing machines for the community’s mask-making efforts.

 

Granville Public Library created a stay-at-home bingo card for kids and one for adults.

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Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library hosted a virtual storytime and read the book “Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans.”

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Huron County Community Library hosts a virtual Teen Time every Monday at 4 p.m.

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Muskingum County Public Library System is bringing storytime to WHIZ radio stations.

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Dayton Metro Library is providing a link on its Facebook page to the latest job postings.

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Minerva Park Public Library is providing ways to make the most of your time at home.

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Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is providing live book recommendations during lunchtime (11 a.m -1 p.m.) on Facebook.

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Lorain Public Library has started an Online Writers Group.

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