Out of more than 7,000 libraries that are evaluated annually, Worthington Libraries is one of only 10 libraries in the country to have received a five-star rating in every Index of Public Library Service published by Library Journal.
The library’s commitment to customer service and interest in emerging trends has helped it maintain its five-star status. The staff creates unique services to meet the varying needs of patrons. In addition to traditional library services, Worthington Libraries offers many non-traditional services.
Patrons who are avid movie watchers can check out Binge Boxes. Binge Boxes are a collection of movies centered on a theme, such as Girl Power, Movies of the ‘70s, Marvel Movies, and movies Based on Books.
Another unique item offered by Worthington Libraries are GoChip Beams, a wireless hotspot for watching TV and movies anytime, anywhere, on any device, even without internet. Each GoChip Beam holds five movies or one season of a television show. It’s a great way to catch up on entertainment you have missed!
Adventure Kits give adults a safe way to add some adventure to their lives and reestablish a love of learning through exploration. There are Adventure Kits for sewing, bird watching, camping, and road tripping to name a few. Each kit contains all of the materials needed to explore a topic fully. For example, the sewing kit contains a sewing machine and the camping kit includes a tent.
Worthington Libraries is not merely concerned with the entertainment needs of patrons. Their collection also includes some very practical items. Patrons can check out Auto Code Readers and Portable Jump Starters. Cbus Libraries Director Desiree Thomas had to check out both of these handy items during an unexpected dead battery incident.
In addition to circulating items, the adult services staff at Worthington Libraries offers passport acceptance and notary services. Because the Library is open evenings and weekends, patrons can access these services at times beyond traditional business hours.
The services offered by the children’s staff go far beyond story times and Homework Help Center programs. Each April, the Library partners with “Bring the Farm to You” to hatch baby chicks. Children learn about the life cycle of chickens and can submit a name for each chick. The kids get so excited to see the chicks hatch and for the opportunity to hold or pet them.
During the month of May, the children’s area becomes home to Monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars are found on the milkweed plants that grow around the library. They are brought into the children’s department where enthusiastic little ones get to watch the metamorphoses. Watching the Monarchs get released into the world is one of the most exciting programs for the library’s young patrons.
Youth services staff create wonderful programs for their tweens. The Scratch Jr. program gives tweens an opportunity to learn how to program their own interactive stories and games using the Scratch Jr. coding program.
Coding Camp gives tweens the opportunity to investigate the magical world of coding! This week-long camp gives students a chance to fully engage with the art of coding. Each day, they learn about a new coding topic and get to practice building their coding skills.
Worthington Libraries services extend beyond its physical buildings. A Worthington Libraries library card grants patrons access to databases they can use from home. Teen patrons can use the “drivetest.org” database to practice for their temporary licenses. Patrons have remote access, through the use of their library card, to several databases. Lynda.com, an online training database, provides the opportunity to learn new skills from the comfort of home. Powerspeak Languages and Mango Languages lets patrons learn a new language at their own pace. Patrons can also use Learning Express Libraries to prepare for a new career, take practice GED, ACT, and TOEFL tests.
This is only a small snapshot of the work this library does. Worthington Libraries is truly full of surprises.
The first month of the new Columbus Metropolitan Libraries Hilliard branch has been incredible and hectic, and although manager Robin Nesbitt deserves a vacation, she still radiates positive energy and excitement for the new facility. Robin, who came to the Hilliard branch in 2013, has been involved in planning the move for about two years. Now that it is complete, it’s satisfying to watch the community experience the space.
The new branch, which opened on June 21, is the largest in the library system. It is three times bigger than the previous Hilliard location. This increase in size provided the library with the opportunity to expand their collection as well as meeting and event spaces. The building includes a massive children’s section, cafe, three-season reading room, homework help center, teen space, a quiet reading room and over a dozen study and meeting spaces. With the increase in space, the staff is also growing. Robin will manage a team of 50 full and part-time employees once hiring is complete.
The community reaction to the building has been overwhelmingly positive. Robin shared patrons are most excited about the collection, the space and the excellent service provided by library staff. The library has seen a substantial increase in visitors and circulation over this time last year. They have already experienced 66,400 customer visits, compared to nearly half that number in 2017!
With more space comes more opportunities for the library to partner with the community in offering patron services. One initiative involves strengthening relationships with the schools. Several local schools will hold their staff retreats at the library this summer. The library and schools are exploring opportunities to bus students over for class visits, and the new homework help center will provide more space and resources for students after school.
In addition to partnering with the schools, the Hilliard branch also works with Tolles Technical Center to provide language classes for adults. Robin hopes that additional professional development classes will be offered in the future, in partnership with the Main branch. Son Ministries collaborates with the library to provide Job Start program services and adult conversation classes, and next summer the library will host the organization’s summer camp. Robin also fosters relationships with other organizations in the Hilliard community, including the YMCA.
Visit Columbus Metropolitan Library Hilliard Branch today! You’re certain to find treasure.
Westerville Public Library is an amazing community hub focused on innovation and imagination.
In 2017, Library Journal awarded Westerville its highest designation. Only 85 libraries across the country received a five-star rating, ranking the library in the top 1% of the nation’s public libraries. And for good reason. Exemplary outreach includes daily delivery to Westerville City Schools, it was the first Central Ohio library to offer drive through service and new technology gives customers the ability to self-check an entire armload of materials all at once. Partnerships and convenience make Westerville one of the nation’s best libraries.
Library renovations completed in 2006 created an incredible atrium, teen space resembling an Internet cafe with booth seating, a retail-like media space with flat screen TVs and an enlarged youth department providing individualized spaces for different ages.
Westerville Public Library’s Meet the Author series brings stellar luminaries to Central Ohio. Most recently, Ernest Cline, author of the new blockbuster Ready Player One, spoke to a packed house. In April, New York Times best selling author Karen White will speak. Other notable visits have included Pulitzer Prize winning Anthony Doerr (All the Light You Can Not See), NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Newbery Medal winner Matt de la Peña (Last Stop on Market Street). Don’t miss Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) this September!
In addition to an incredible library, the building also hosts the Anti-Saloon League Museum. For forty years (1893-1933), the league was a major lobbying force that helped bring the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, creating an era of prohibition. The museum’s collection has been instrumental for researchers worldwide, including Ken Burns and his documentary Prohibition. During our visit, we met with Local History Associate Nina Thomas who pointed out the collection’s depth in WWI materials. Check out their online collection that includes cartoons, songs and more here.
In 2017, Executive Director Erin Francoeur joined Westerville. She’s thrilled to be part of such a strong, community-supported library. Erin spoke highly of the library’s amazing staff, making work exciting and fun. She’s eager to further deepen community partnerships, including a recent collaboration with Otterbein University’s Courtright Memorial Library, and begin a new strategic plan.
And we’ve just briefly introduced the Westerville Public Library. We highly encourage you to visit and experience this dynamic community resource!
This feature is dedicated to the memory of Officers Eric Joering and Anthony Morelli. Their service to community and sacrifice will never be forgotten.