29 Library Hacks from the CHPL Staff

By Liz Foreman, Marketing Manager, Downtown Main Library

Ever wonder how CHPL staff like to use the Library? Wonder no more.

Hear from insiders about their favorite Library hacks—how they like to access e-books, audiobooks, and online databases, and other tips for making the most of the Library's materials and services.

📚 Maximize Borrowing

"I love using the For Later Shelf on CHPL.org. I can add a title on the spot if I see a book that I like but don’t want to check out right away. I also have a place I can go to when I’m ready to read something new — and I can see what’s available and what isn't!" - Ann, Youth Librarian, Loveland Branch

"Anyone living in Ohio has access to ALL Ohio libraries. I have multiple digital cards loaded into my Libby account." – Keith, Library Customer Adviser, Green Township Branch

"If you belong to other libraries (like reciprocal communities in Kentucky) you can add all your cards to your Libby account and pick the shortest wait list!" – Sarah, Branch Supervisor - Youth Services, Deer Park Branch

"I find that I get stuck reading the same type of book all the time. When picking a new read, I randomize a letter and choose a book that looks interesting by an author whose surname starts with that letter. I've read so many fantastic books I otherwise would not have picked up before." – Shelby, Sorting & Materials Retrieval Page, Downtown Main Library

"Libby lets users export highlights and notes as an Excel spreadsheet, even after the book has been returned! I love this feature because I keep a journal of my favorite quotes from books I've read. So I'm glad I don't have to rush to copy down all my highlighted passages before the book gets returned." – Emilie, Library Customer Adviser, Anderson Branch

We spend most of our waking hours looking at screens...reading texts and emails, watching videos, scrolling through news and social media feeds. Sometimes, it feels like I'm stuck on a treadmill of digital overstimulation that never stops. For me, reading a book - a print book - is a way of getting off the treadmill. Spending an hour lost in a novel, or poem, or work of history, biography, or philosophy slows down my mind, relaxes my body, nourishes my curiosity, and restores my emotional well-being. Reading a book isn't just an enjoyable pastime, it's an essential form of self-care." – Grant, Library Customer Adviser, Downtown Main Library

💡 Study and Work Smart

"Not having to pay to learn new skills on LinkedIn Learning (great for Excel)." – Kat, Library Customer Specialist, North Central Branch

"One thing I always recommend to customers looking for jobs is when writing a resume or cover letter for a specific job, to try to use relevant keywords from the job description to get through applicant tracking systems. If job seekers stop by the Library, we can help them with this and they can use a laptop with the latest software!" - Jay, Adult Programs Assistant, Downtown Main Library

"My family's name was often misspelled, and Ancestry Library Edition allows you to search with 'sounds like,' 'similar,' and 'soundex' filters." – Kat, Library Customer Specialist, North Central Branch

I teach some of our ESOL classes at the Library. My favorite thing to share with students is our map of all the free local ESOL classes in Cincinnati that the Library maintains." – Natalie, Adult Programs Assistant, Downtown Main Library

🎧 Digital, too!

"I always have at least one digital book loaded on my phone's Libby app—great for those drive thru and waiting room experiences." – Megan, Branch Supervisor - Youth Services, Anderson Branch

"I check out language learning materials on audiobook, and it in my car's CD player so despite the busy schedule week, I have time to still practice Spanish. I've also recommended this for test materials we have on audiobook like for someone who's working more than 40 hours a week but still wants to find time to study!" – Riley, Library Customer Adviser, Forest Park Branch

"In the past couple of years, we've gone from two full-text, searchable historical Cincinnati newspapers to more than 100. This is a big expansion that gives you a more complete picture of the events of the past." – Larry, Department Manager, Downtown Main Library

💸 Money-Saving Hacks

"I like using the Library's free, high quality color printing, up to 20 pages/day in color. I made a DIY planner and the photos on the printouts were vibrant and streak-free! It saved me a lot of money and it's far better quality than what I'd be able to do myself at home." – Miranda, Events & Spaces Supervisor, Downtown Main Library

"I love taking advantage of the Library's free access to the Cincinnati Business Courier and New York Times." – Ben, Library Customer Specialist, Corryville Branch [This hack was thirded by staff!]

"I've used MakerSpace for all kinds of personal projects/gifts— everything from product labels for my husband's side-hustle to custom t-shirts." – Erin, Youth Librarian, Wyoming Branch

"Using Freegal and Hoopla when commuting. There are a lot of comedians you can listen to and download on Freegal, and good audiobooks on Hoopla, and with being able to download them to your phone you don't have to use any data." – Matthew, Library Customer Adviser, Deer Park Branch

"I love collaging, so I browse magazines on Libby & print out pages (with my 20 free color prints, naturally) that I like! No waste & no subscriptions " – Bec, Library Customer Adviser, Forest Park Branch

"My life hack is saving a bundle on newspaper and magazine subscriptions (even though I do believe in supporting the press - when I can) by using Flipster and the online newspapers. I like reminding people about that anytime I see them unhappy about paywalls on social media." – Claire, Library Customer Adviser, Blue Ash Branch

"I used Weiss Financial Ratings a few times and recommend just looking through it for anyone wanting to learn more about investing." – Megan, Branch Supervisor - Youth Services, Anderson Branch

"As an avid bibliophile and record collector, I'm always on the hunt for new titles to add to my personal library. I love using our Library to "sample" new books, albums, or movies that intrigue me. If I enjoy something, I can buy a personal copy. And if I don't...I can just return it!" – Grant, Library Customer Adviser, Downtown Main Library

🏠 Home & Organization Hacks

"If you're browsing cookbooks at a Library location and find a recipe you like, you can make a free photocopy or scan the page to your email, and you don't have to carry the whole book home with you - they can be really heavy!" – Taylor, Library Customer Adviser, Downtown Main Library

🎟️ Entertainment Hacks

"I use Discovery Pass for low or no cost Cincinnati adventures." – Kat, Library Customer Specialist, North Central Branch

"Signing up for Hot Tickets and Hot Authors makes it easy to get the latest films and the latest James Patterson book without tracking release dates." – Ben, Library Customer Specialist, Corryville Branch

"We rely on the Library at my house for all of our dinner theater! Shows that we really want to watch but can't stream conveniently (or cheaply) we bring home on DVD from the Library. This is how we watched ALL of Dragon Ball and now Dragon Ball Z!" – Erin, Youth Librarian, Wyoming Branch

🛠️ Efficiency Hacks

"I tell a lot of customers about Ask a Librarian appointments so they can get individualized, scheduled support." – Kat, Library Customer Specialist, North Central Branch

"For people reluctant or unable to use the CHPL app, I often recommend saving their library card number as a contact in their phone. Another good one is encouraging kids to initial the keychain part of their card when they first receive it - it's so helpful when their adult has everyone's card on their keys and isn't sure whose is whose." – Bex, Library Customer Adviser, Delhi Township Branch

👶 Family and Kid Hacks

"Storytime is not only here for your child to develop a life-long love of reading, it's also a way to make the caregiving experience less isolating for adults. I've observed many families who have exchanged numbers and become friends because of storytime!" – Sharon, Youth Librarian, Downtown Main Library

"When my voice is tired, or we have a busy night, we watch books on our TV via Kanopy with our twins. They complete their reading assignments for the night, and I save my voice and time." – Sondra, Senior Branch Manager, North Central Branch

"If you've gotten to know other parents through online communities like Peanut, arrange to meet up at a storytime. It's a great neutral space!" – Sharon, Youth Librarian, Downtown Main Library

What are your CHPL library hacks? Let us know in the comments below!