Ohio Library News 09.04.20
Ohio’s public libraries are ready to get the school year off to a good start with resources for students, teachers, and parents!
The back-to-school season looks very different this year, but Ohio’s public libraries are committed to helping families navigate the school year − whether it’s remote, in-person, or a hybrid model.
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library teamed up with the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center to host a session for parents on how to successfully launch a child’s online learning. The library is also helping students who don’t have a WiFi connection or space at home – or who just need a little help getting started.
St. Paris Public Library has set up Study Hubs for students who need internet access or a quiet spot for remote learning.
The new Study Hubs at the St. Paris Public Library offer students WiFi access and a quiet place to learn.
Columbus Metropolitan Library took their Homework Help Center online.
The Washington-Centerville Public Library has created a series of remote learning resources to support teachers, students and parents, including video tutorials.
The North Canton Public Library (NCPL) delivered a care package of 600 handwritten notes of encouragement and NCPL-branded face masks to all North Canton City Schools staff members (teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, custodians!).
What’s behind the mask? The Madison Public Library made 200+ smile buttons for local school teachers and staff.
The Madison Public Library donated more than 200 “smile buttons” featuring the faces of local teachers to help start the school year with a smile. The buttons allow children to see their teacher’s full face even though masks cover their smiles.
Cuyahoga County Public Library teamed up with PCs for People and WKYC Channel 3 in Cleveland to help bridge the digital divide. Ten library branches served as collection sites for used desktop and laptop computers. Donated computers will be refurbished and redistributed by PCs for People for students in need throughout the county.
Way Public Library has moved its book club for homeschoolers online, plus the library has a dedicated web page with homeschooling resources.
Dayton Metro Library has created a “You Can Learn At Home” guide.
The Forest-Jackson Public Library has created a separate Facebook page to share homeschooling resources available at the library.
The Lorain Public Library System and Elyria Public Library System handed out back-to-school supplies and encouraged parents to complete the Census while on site.
The Muskingum County Library System has teamed up with The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology to provide free at-home STEM kits.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month. The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County signed up 600 middle school students for library e-cards.
Wayne County Public Library is offering a Postcard Pal Program to help kids practice writing.
The Akron-Summit County Public Library has teamed up with the METRO Regional Transit Authority to offer free bus rides to library cardholders on the first Thursday of every month.
Lakewood Public Library is hosting a new exhibit, “Telling A People’s Story” which features artwork found within the pages of African-American children’s picture books.
With the election less than 60 days away, the Upper Arlington Public Library has put together a list of reliable resources for fact-checking national and local politics.
Cleveland’s immigrant community is often hard to count in the Census. The Cleveland Public Library has partnered with Global Cleveland for a Facebook LIVE discussion on why 2020 is such a critical time to make sure that these communities are represented.
Grandview Heights Public Library collaborated with the Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Historical Society on a free app that lets people explore local history and inspiring landmarks while they walk around the neighborhood.
The Athens County Public Libraries partnered with Alden Library, Appalachian Rural Health Institute, and SMART Lab, Scripps College of Communication to draw attention to the heightened stakes of the digital divide in Ohio.
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library hosted a Facebook LIVE “Appy Hour” with their library tech trainer on free apps to help manage your finances.
Findlay-Hancock Public Library will host a book discussion on the women’s suffrage movement with the University of Findlay and the Hancock Historical Museum.
Perry County District Library has teamed up with the Perry County Jobs and Family Services Mobile Unit and a local Dairy Queen to encourage people to complete the Census.
The Lorain Public Library System has a new Culinary Literacy Center.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County hosted an American Sign Language virtual storytime.
Tipp City Public Library is loaning Plexiglas barriers to local businesses.
