#ohio libraries

[write-the-stars]

Hey, Ohio friends!

Please, please, please, I need you to call or email Governor DeWine before the 30th of June and tell him to veto the provision of House Bill 96 that requires libraries to rearrange and reclassify materials related to sexual orientation and gender identity so that they are not readily accessible to people under the age of 18.

This bill has already been passed as a part of the state budget, but Governor DeWine has until June 30th to review and veto it, which is why you need to call or email his office asap!

Call the governor’s office at: 614-466-3555

Email the governor’s office via this web form: https://governor.ohio.gov/contact

The Columbus Metropolitan Library system has a great bit of info explaining more about what the provision is and why it’s bad:

Your Public Library and the State Budget

Ohio’s libraries urgently need your help! We need you to contact your state representative today and tell them not to cut library funding.

[perpetuallyexhaustedlibrarian]

Y'all, this is a five alarm fire.

This is the moment librarians have been afraid of.

Ohio Republicans want to reduce or eliminate our funds, effectively shutting down smaller libraries, and make funds from the state contingent on libraries keeping LGBTQ materials out of view of anyone under 18, effectively removing them from our shelves. If you live in Ohio, please please please call your reps.

Your libraries need your help.

Please. If you love your library, please call. If you believe in democracy and freedom of information , please call. We are fighting censorship and bigotry every day, and we need help.

[cincylibrary]

This National Library Worker’s Week we highlight the critical role library workers and librarians play in our community! This year was unlike any other; with library workers adapting to changes due to the pandemic, providing creative alternatives and expanding resources. It has always been clear that our libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building. This National Library Worker’s Week we honor the dedication, expertise and hard work of all our library staff! 

To see more images of The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library’s library history photographs, visit our Digital Library!

[cincylibrary]

Businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated and built over 2,500 libraries worldwide between 1883 and 1929. The state of Ohio is ranked fifth in the nation for its number of Carnegie libraries with Cincinnati originally boasting nine libraries total. Today, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library are still operating seven Carnegie branches. Our current Carnegie branches include: Avondale, Corryville, Hyde Park, Northside, Norwood, Price Hill and Walnut Hills. Cincinnati’s first Carnegie to open was Walnut Hills branch in 1906, with the others following soon after. Walnut Hills branch is currently part of Building the Next Generation Library plan and will see many updates including more square footage and greater accessibility. 

To see more updates on the Walnut Hills branch, check out https://bit.ly/3BFoPZl  

And, to view more historic images of our Carnegie branch libraries, visit our Digital Library!

[520and4th]

A Greenville Public Library office in August 1971.

[520and4th]

Greenville Public Library librarians and children play with sidewalk chalk in front of GPL in June, 1981. 

[rockhalllibrary]

Director Andy Leach profiles the Library and Archives in the latest issue of Ohio Libraries Quarterly!