A new partnership between Cincinnati & Hamilton Public Library (CHPL) and Barbershop Books is launching in August! This program, funded by The Library Foundation, is dedicated to inspiring Black boys and other children to develop a lifelong love of reading.
To celebrate the launch of this exciting initiative, the Library invites kids and families to a Summer Celebration on Aug. 13, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Deer Park Branch.
One barber, Ed Barnes of Barnes Barbershop in Madisonville, said that kids would come into his shop and flip through magazines, trying to read them. When he heard about Barbershop Books, he knew it would be a great partnership.
On the first day the shop had reads from Barbershop Books, a brother and sister came in and ran to the shelves. Each of them picked out a book, and Ed said that each read to one another.
“Every time they come in, they grab a book,” said Ed. “That was the very first day, and the first children that came in, but all the children seem to do it.”
The program will launch with 10 participating barbershops:
- Barnes Barbershop: 3241 Woodburn Ave., Evanston
- G's Perfection Plus Barber Shop: 3120 Harrison Ave., Westwood
- Todd Cutts: 3349 Harrison Ave., Cheviot
- Irby's Barber: 2828 Vine St., Corryville
- Supreme Styles Barber Shop: 1569 Chase Ave., Northside
- Distinguished Cuts: 5826 Bramble Ave., Madisonville
- Barnes Barbershop: 6016 Madison Road, Madisonville
- Bo Barber Shop: 7607 Perry St., Mt. Healthy
- Forever Cuttin Up: 945 Hempstead Rd., Finneytown
- Razor 1 Kutz Barbershop: 7218 Montgomery Rd., Silverton
Ed has seen generations of families come to his shop. “You try to give these kids some advice, and explain things to help prepare them for life,” said Ed. “To watch them reading? It’s a great, great feeling.”
The Summer Celebration on Aug. 13 will feature:
- Free haircuts for children
- Meet-and-great with founder Alvin Irby
- Meet-and-great with the local participating barbers
- Family storytimes featuring the Barbershop Books collection
- Local agencies offering resources for families and children
By bringing books directly into the community and creating joyful, welcoming spaces for families, we hope to spark curiosity, foster confidence, and promote literacy for all. Mark your calendars and join us for a day of fun, learning, and celebration.
“We’re a village. It’s not just your biological children, it’s a family,” said Ed. “[The Library and Barbershop Books] gave me a chance to feel like I’m doing something to help out. I do believe that we are responsible to each other.”
CHPL’s participation in Barbershop Books is made possible thanks to private philanthropy from The Library Foundation.
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