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Public Library

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library opened the new Mt. Healthy Branch after renovating a 10,000-square-foot CVS building. The opening celebration on Nov. 2 provided guests with activities, CHPL Swag giveaways, and refreshments to celebrate the $6.3 million building as part of the Library’s Facility Master Plan. 

Saturday began with an opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting, where Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director Paula Brehm-Heeger, Vice President of the Library’s Board of Trustees Christopher Harding, Mayor Jennifer Moody of Mt. Healthy, Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, and Mt. Healthy Branch Manager Lacey Wehrle gave remarks about the Mt. Healthy Branch’s opening.  

“The current branch has been serving the Mt. Healthy community for 73 years. That’s many years of special memories. Now, with the beautiful new Mt. Healthy Branch, we’re excited to continue this history and reaffirm our commitment to this community,” said Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director Paula Brehm-Heeger. “Built as part of our Facility Master Plan implementation, this new Mt. Healthy Branch was designed to be a place where the entire Mt. Healthy community can gather, learn, explore, and more.” 

More than 1,000 guests took part in Saturday’s festivities exploring the library branch. The new building features more interior space, improved accessibility, expanded parking, a drive-thru, a meeting room, and study pods. The building also includes a family-friendly kids space with play equipment, a communal space for teens, and comfortable spaces for reading and gathering. 

The new library is one block from the previous storefront location. Learn more about the project at: https://chpl.org/next-generation/mt-healthy/.

The Facility Master Plan is guiding our multiyear improvement project called Building the Next Generation Library and was made possible through the generous support of Hamilton County as a result of the 1 mill levy that passed in May 2018. 

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The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library celebrated the opening of the new Forest Park Branch Library at 660 Northland Blvd. on September 14.  

The Library Board of Trustees and staff, local elected officials, community members  were present for the event.

This estimated $19.2 million new build is an investment in the vibrant community. The new building is a Big Next Generation Library; a 26,440-square-foot facility built from the ground up featuring new Makerspace equipment, spaces to gather and meet, exciting kids space with play equipment, a teen space for studying and gaming, convenient drive-thru, ample parking, and more.

A MakerSpace is a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering irons and even sewing machines. It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring your own interests that’s at the core of a MakerSpace. These spaces are also helping to prepare those who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). They provide hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence. Some of the skills that are learned in a MakerSpace pertain to electronics, 3d printing, 3D modeling, coding, robotics and even woodworking.  

“Your new Forest Park Branch Library, with its incredible MakerSpace, vibrant kids area, multiple meeting and study rooms, and the expanded collection of materials will open a world of creativity and connection for everyone,” says Shaun Davidson, Forest Park Senior Branch Manager. “We can’t wait to see all the amazing things that will come to life here.” 

The ribbon-cutting and remarks from leadership was followed by fun-filled activities for all ages, including crafts, light refreshments, story times, performances, and activities. 

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By: WCPO staff

CINCINNATI — Voters in Hamilton County have passed Issue 20, a ballot measure renewing and expanding the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library tax levy.

The library’s board of trustees voted unanimously in July to ask taxpayers for a larger levy this election. The levy will cost county taxpayers $18 more per year for each $100,000 in assessed property value, meaning taxpayers would pay $43 total per year.

The levy is separate from the one voters approved in 2018, which was largely for capital improvements for the library’s branches. It will be for operations and addressing the library’s changing landscape.

Board member Colleen Reynolds previously noted the money will help with the library’s e-book expenses. While the library’s digital collection is more popular than ever, the cost of e-books and audiobooks is much higher than paperback.

For the library system to get their e-book wait time to match the print book wait times, it would cost the library an additional $2 million per year, said Paula Brehm-Heeger, CHPL director.

Money will also go to increased public safety initiatives at the branches, Reynolds said.

The library gets much of its funding from the state’s Public Library Fund, though that amount fluctuates and is not a given, Reynolds said. She said the staggered levies — and the fact the CHPL is the only major library system in the state that carries no debt — will hopefully help maintain financial stability.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati.

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