As part of Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library's commitment to building Welcoming Spaces for all our customers, the Library now provides free period products at all of its 40 permanent library locations. CHPL is taking this significant step to ensure everyone in our community has access to essential resources and to recognize the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene needs.
This project was financially assisted by The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.
Ensuring Welcoming Spaces for All
Library customers can now access free tampons and pads at all 41 library locations with the exception of the temporary Hyde Park Branch. The permanent Hyde Park Branch will have these items available for free for customers after its renovation is completed later this year.
These products can be found either through no-cost period product dispensers or baskets within the building's restrooms or by requesting them from Library staff.
“No one should have to choose between purchasing essential items and maintaining hygiene. We’re proud to have provided the funds used to purchase and install product dispensers that enable access to free products in partnership with the Library. The leadership the Library has demonstrated with this initiative is significant and promotes equality in our community,” said Heidi B. Jark, senior vice president and managing director for the Foundation Office at Fifth Third Bank.
"We love that we’re able to provide period products for free to our customers," says Madisonville Branch Manager Mariah Kennedy-English, "Helping to bridge that crucial 'tampon tax' gap is important to creating a more welcoming space - including our restrooms - for all within Cincinnati and Hamilton County."
"The period product dispensers themselves are small but the impact of having it available to our community is big," says Kate Denier, Senior Branch Manager at the Harrison Branch, "People immediately started using it upon installation and many have thanked us and told us how nice it is that we have it."
This service aims to break down barriers and eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation while fostering an environment where the Library's customers feel comfortable and supported.
"These items can be such a hard thing to ask for assistance with," says West End Branch Manager Keloni Park, "Having them available in a discreet way is great."
Promoting Dignity Across Hamilton County
This is the second such project in Hamilton County, following Hamilton County's introduction of free period products to its locations in 2022, opens a new window.
This new service follows Paula Brehm-Heeger, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, serving on Hamilton County’s Commission on Women and Girls.
"While the Library provides invaluable services already, offering these products has further cemented CHPL as a necessary community fixture for customers of all ages," says Avondale Youth Librarian Mattie Richards, "This service has opened new lines of conversation about personal hygiene and body education that was not able to be broached before, leading to more trust built between customers and staff."
Learn more about how the Library is promoting Welcoming Spaces as part of its Strategic Framework on our website.
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