Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., really? Martin’s Dream answers this question and more as it brings this historical figure to life through the power of story, speech and song. Watch as Dr. King tells the story of his life, from his childhood in the Deep South all the way to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Teachers, are you looking for MLK Day instructional material?
Photo by Lisa Mauch, courtesy of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Created and performed by the talented and charismatic Deondra Kamau Means, this one-man show explores the real person behind the pictures, a funny intelligent, passionate man whose faith, family and education made him one of the most revered people in our nation’s history.
Presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. This performance was created for children in Grades 3-8.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has been creating lifelong memories for families with children and school audiences since 1919.
Register to receive a link to the on demand video, which can be viewed anytime from January 18-22. Links will be sent within 24 hours of registration. Registration ends January 21.
Dr. Charles Meade, a former president and director of the Hamilton County Fair Board, built this historic home in 1906. The property was used to raise trotting and pacing horses and included a racetrack. The Township purchased the property in 2003 and had a lease with the Cincinnati Horticultural Society to maintain the grounds until 2016.
Ross Family Log House Museum at Meade Park. The Symmes Township Historical Society has restored a historic 1830’s two-story log house at Meade Park through a grant from the Ohio Cultural Commission. It opened to the public in April 2012.
Symmes Township, Ohio – Symmes Township and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County will be offering a Story Time open house for kids age 3-9 on Tuesday, August 18th at the Meade Historic Preserve (11887 Lebanon Road 45140) from 10 AM until noon.
In addition to story time, the library will offer kids a craft, game and snack in a outdoor setting. Social distancing guidelines will be adhered to.
For more information, please contact the Township office at (513)683-6644.
Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio – “The health and safety of customers and staff is our first priority,” said Paula Brehm-Heeger in an announcement issued July 2 by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Paula Brehm-Heeger is the Director of the system of libraries.
Paula Brehm-Heeger is the Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Her statement was issued after Thursday’s announcement by Governor DeWine and his team of health professionals unveiled a new monitoring and reporting system for COVID 19 infections in each county.
The “Ohio Public Health Advisory System” is based upon a set of criteria and categorizes all Ohio counties in one of four levels. Counties are rated as: 1) yellow, 2) orange, 3) red or 4) purple — with purple being the highest cautionary rating.
Seven counties in Ohio are rated “red” including Hamilton County. The description and guidelines for level three include:
Very high exposure and spread
Limit activities as much as possible
Follow all current health orders
“Based upon this new information, we have made the difficult decision to pause in-person services in our buildings beginning Monday, July 6,” said Brehm-Heeger. All of the 28 open locations will continue to provide curbside or drive-thru service, and they will continue to open nine more locations to provide these services throughout July.
This temporary change is a proactive decision to help limit the spread of the virus, according to Brehm-Heeger. “We will monitor news and information from health officials daily so we can bring back in-person service as soon as the situation improves and the key alert indicators start trending downward. We have repeatedly been reminded that the pandemic is fast moving and requires our quick response and ability to adjust plans accordingly.” Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we adjust to the pandemic and find new ways to serve you.”
Between now and the middle of July, the Library is phasing services back in, with new locations being added each week. The goal is to be providing services at all locations by mid-July. The exception is Price Hill, as that location is currently closed through the end of 2020 for a major renovation and expansion project. “We’ll use this space to keep you up to date on what is going on. We are excited to see you again,” said Kathy Taylor, Regional Manager in a statement issued on July 3.
The Loveland Branch currently has Curbside Service only and no Drive-Thru Service is planned.
Brehm-Heeger said, “Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we adjust to the pandemic and find new ways to serve you.”
Hours of Service
Beginning June 15, all open locations will be operating from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Book Drops
All locations are accepting returns through their book drops, except Price Hill. Materials are being quarantined for 3 days before being checked-in, so it will be a few days before you see any changes reflected on your account.
Curbside Service
Curbside: Avondale, Blue Ash, Clifton, College Hill, Delhi, Forest Park, Green Township, Hyde Park, Loveland, Madisonville, Mariemont, Monfort Heights, North Central, Oakley, Pleasant Ridge, St. Bernard, Sharonville, Symmes, Walnut Hills, Westwood, West End and Wyoming
Beginning July 6th these branches will open curbside service: Madeira, Mt. Washington
Beginning July 13 these branches will open for curbside service: Bond Hill, Cheviot, Corryville, Deer Park, Green Hills, Miami Township, Northside, Norwood
Scheduled appointments are not required for curbside service, but calling ahead will make the process more efficient for you, especially if you need to do something other than pick up a hold.
When you arrive at your location for curbside pick-up, look for the curbside service sign, park, and call the branch at the number on the sign.
Drive-Thru Service
Drive-thrus are at these locations: Anderson, Covedale, Groesbeck, Harrison, Reading, and the Downtown Main Library
Scheduled appointments are not required drive-thru service, but calling ahead will make the process more efficient for you, especially for curbside service, or if you need to do something other than pick up a hold. Find phone numbers for all branches on this web page.
Holds/Borrowing Items
If you would like to borrow an item from the library, search our catalog, find the item you want, place a hold on it, and choose which location you’d like to pick up the item from. Or you can call us, and we’ll place the hold for you.
When the item is ready, you will receive an email notice. You can pick it up anytime between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. If you’d like, you can call the location and schedule a time for pick-up.
In-Person Services
Due to the wide community spread of the virus in Hamilton County right now, the Library made the decision to temporarily suspend in-person services. Read more in this blog post from the director.
We’re Here for You Online and on the Phone
Our eBranch is always open, and we are continuing to provide events like storytimes online on a regular basis. Check our calendar for more information.
Call, email or chat with us seven days a week for help with job searching, finding trusted health information, getting assistance with a library resource, and more.
For the latest Library service updates and resources, please visit our COVID-19 resource page.
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Board of Trustees has affirmed a plan from the Library’s leadership team to make staffing changes due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
The Library is reducing hours for 435 non-exempt staff in paygrades 1-6 down to 25 percent, and is furloughing an additional 106 staff in paygrade 1 who typically work 12 or fewer hours per week. The Library currently employs 839 individuals. In addition, the Library leadership team is taking a 5-10 percent reduction in salary, and the Library Director is taking a 15 percent reduction.
The reduction in hours and furloughs amount to a weekly savings of approximately $167,800.
These reductions and the furlough take effect Sunday, May 3, 2020 and continue for an indefinite amount of time; however, the Library leadership team intends to evaluate the situation continuously. The Library is continuing to pay the full employer benefit contribution for medical and dental premiums for all staff with reduced hours. Reduced hours staff will also continue to earn credit for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System at a prorated rate.
The exact funding loss for the Library during the remainder of 2020 is unknown at this moment, as approximately half of the Library’s revenues come from the state of Ohio through the Public Library Fund, while the other half comes from Hamilton County taxpayers via two levies. Current projections range from an $8 million to $12 million gap in the budget, a projection that represents a 20–30% reduction of Public Library Fund and approximately 10–15% of the budget overall.
A variety of operational savings have been realized during the closure, primarily security costs and consumable supplies. Additional budget savings beyond personnel are needed, and will be identified and addressed in the coming weeks. The time-sensitive nature of the CARES Act led the Library to prioritize staffing decisions to ensure this funding was available to staff impacted by the personnel changes.
Staff who are not being furloughed or having hours reduced are those staff members whose full scope of work is able to be accomplished remotely at this time and/or whose work supports critical tasks that enable the Library to continue to function while our facilities are closed.
“I am incredibly proud of the Library’s staff. Last year when we engaged with the community for the Facility Master Plan project, everywhere I went community members told me how much they valued and appreciated our staff,” said Paula Brehm-Heeger, Library Director. “The pandemic has left us with no good choices, and making this difficult decision is especially distressing. I am heartened, however, when I recall how together we have risen to meet past challenges, and I know that our collective passion and perseverance will carry us through these extraordinary times together, too.”
These actions do not affect any services the Library is currently providing. Library buildings have been closed since March 13, and will remain closed through at least May 3. While the Library buildings have been closed, the Library has been focusing on expanding access to digital materials, offering programming through videos and live-streams, and creating new services like one-on-one appointments with staff to get personalized help with job issues, small business assistance, and even appointments with a social worker.
Visit CincinnatiLibrary.org or call 513-369-6900 to schedule an appointment. Phones are operated 9 AM – 9 PM Monday through Wednesday; 9 AM – 6 PM Thursday through Saturday; and 1 – 5 PM Sunday.
As shared in a blog post last week, the Library is actively working on a recovery and re-opening plan, and is following state and national guidelines on how to proceed. “Ramping back up hours for staff, and calling furloughed staff back to work, depends on variables that are out of our control, such as the health of our staff, the actual reduction of revenue over projections, the status of the state’s stay-at-home order and physical distancing measures, what the scientific community can learn about how long the virus can live on surfaces, and the availability of cleaning and physical distancing supplies and equipment,” said Brehm-Heeger.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War. Dive into the history and heroism of those who served with this special list of books at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
Seven counties in Ohio are rated “red” including Hamilton County. The description and guidelines for level three include:
“Based upon this new information, we have made the difficult decision to pause in-person services in our buildings beginning Monday, July 6,” said Brehm-Heeger. All of the 28 open locations will continue to provide curbside or drive-thru service, and they will continue to open nine more locations to provide these services throughout July.
