Written by Bobby Minelli of the Friends of the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County , opens a new window
We’re all looking for silver linings these days, so here's one: many of us have found time to catch up on deep cleaning and sorting. With the extra time to purge comes a desire to repurpose and give back, and as always, the Friends of the Library is grateful to be on the receiving end of your generosity.
The Friends give new homes to your gently used books, CDs, and DVDs, and uses the sale of these materials to directly support your Library. This year we have faced many new challenges as to how to safely receive your donations, and get these materials into the hands of those who would need and want them.
We know many folks have been waiting for the chance to donate, and we so appreciate your patience. As we all try new ways of connecting and supporting, the Friends and the Library, have come up with a different way for you to donate your items. It is a temporary solution due to the challenges of safely receiving and quarantining donated materials and we’re excited to share it with you. Introducing: Donate Days!
Dates and times: Saturday, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, and Sept. 12, 9 a.m. -1 p.m.
Location: the Friends of the Library distribution center, 1130 Findlay St. (entrance on Dalton Avenue)
How to Participate:
- Drop off your books, CDs, and DVDs at the Distribution Center and only during the designated times.
- Volunteers, employees and a Public Safety Officer are directing traffic and ensuring safe-distancing practices.
- Sanitizer stations are available and we ask that you wear a mask while donating. If you don’t have a mask, there are free masks available.
Directions: Traveling South on I-75, take exit 2A onto Western Avenue towards Liberty Street. Turn Right on Findlay Avenue then turn right on Dalton Avenue. The entrance to the Distribution Center is on the east side of Dalton Avenue. There will be signs directing you to the Donation Drop-Off Stations.
It is our hope to resume normal donation procedures in the future, (i.e. at your local Library branches and at the Friends’ Warehouse in Hartwell) but Donate Days is the best way to begin.
The relationship between the Friends of the Library and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and the public itself, is an exceptional feature of Cincinnati. Your books, traveling from one good home to another, are a wonderful symbol of our shared connectivity and culture. Our relationships have a rich history, and are as adaptable and resilient as books, libraries, and people. They rely on hard work, intention, and generosity, and while one silver lining may be more time to clean house, another is certainly the opportunity to support those places we know are important. Donate Days is a shared effort by folks who value our relationships and work hard every day to keep them exceptional even during challenging times.
If you have questions about Donate Days, please email donations@cincylibraryfriends.org or visit our website at cincylibraryfriends.org.
Please follow the Friends of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County on Facebook and Instagram (@cincylibraryfriends), where we will continue with updates all week leading up to the first day of Donate Days, this Saturday. As always, we are so appreciative of your support for the Friends and for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton, opens a new window.
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