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Editor, News-Register:
The Friends of the Ohio County Public Library have been recently reorganized and are proud to serve as enthusiastic ambassadors for our incredible local community resource! Historically, the library has been considered to be a place chock full of books, where everyone was expected to be quiet with librarians who often seemed a bit strict and fearsome. Indeed, the old Ohio County Public Library in Center Wheeling greeted visitors with a looming Ethan Allen statue, sword in hand.
But today's library is vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming! However, our local library is at an important financial crossroads as its quest for full and stable funding has been challenged and questioned. We need all citizens to reaffirm their dedicated support for the Ohio County Public Library by voting FOR THE LEVY in the May 14 West Virginia Primary Election.
If you haven't been to the library lately or been wondering about how the library might serve you, the FOCPL wants to remind you of some of the incredible services, programs, and resources that the Library provides.
Did you know …
– Every single person residing in Ohio County has the opportunity to be served by the library?
– In an average year, the OCPL circulates over 220,000 items, has approximately 150,000 visitors, and is open six days a week (totaling 60 hours per week).
– The Library offers internet and wireless access and notary public services -- all free!
– Over 4,000 tax returns are prepared free by Volunteer Income Tax Assistance staff housed in the Library every year?
– Free online subscriptions to the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal are offered to everyone with a library card?
– The library hosted a Taylor Swift Night that attracted scores of loyal young adult Swifties and is planning a Young Adult Murder Mystery Night?
– The library can order you specialized materials from all over the world?
– Adult programming at the library presents high quality guests hosted from locations all over the world including U.S. locations, Finland, Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom? Lunch With Books is especially popular and has been presenting programs since 1974.
– The library regularly visits local schools in our area and purchases materials for the schools to use in their classrooms?
– Two weekly story times are offered for 3 to 5-year-olds and two weekly toddler times average monthly attendance of 320 of our youngest citizens including fun activities like Mother Goose On The Loose?
– You may borrow kitchen items (pan, molds, electric mixers, canning items), tools (drills, sanders, moisture meters, stud finders, bike repair kit), arts and crafts (sewing machine, pot holder loom kit, crochet kit, knitting kits), technology items -- even a telescope as a part of the Library of Things collection?
– Outreach services -- directly to the residence of library users who can't make it to the downtown Wheeling building -- are literally provided to a person's doorstep? If you live in a local high-rise or retirement home, Ohio County Public Library outreach services will visit your facility twice each month, according to a regular schedule. Outreach library users in private residences simply call to schedule a convenient delivery time.
– If you need a test proctored that the library offers test proctoring on-site?
– The library provides free meeting rooms to non-profit community groups? The boardroom can accommodate approximately 12 people, the classroom 30 people, the meeting room 80 people, and the auditorium 120 people.
– You can trace your local roots at the library? The staff genealogist is generally available to help visitors and answer questions Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
– You can suggest book purchases, program ideas, potential services, or resources at any time?
No doubt, there are items that you could add to the list -- we very likely could fill the entire page.
Our library is a valuable resource that we must not take for granted. Give the library your enthusiastic support by voting FOR THE LEVY on May 14!
Friends of the Ohio County Public Library