Digital offerings and eResources and have been expanded while the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County remains closed to the public in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
“The safety of our staff and community members is our top priority. We are remaining closed per the governor’s recommendation that people stay home unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave the house,” says Paula Brehm-Heeger, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library.
Library leadership will continue to reassess the closure on a regular basis. In addition, the Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for April 14 has been cancelled. While our doors are closed to the public, administration and managers are still working to ensure business continuity.
The Library is offering the following resources to assist customers during this time:
- The Virtual Information Center (VIC) will continue to serve as the remote access point for Library customers’ questions. The department is staffed Mondays through Saturdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and is available via email, live chat on our homepage, or by phone at 513-369-5005.
- The Library’s eBranch has expanded to include access to more eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, movies, magazines, newspapers, and research databases.
- The Library’s digital offerings now include frequently updated COVID-19 resource pages as well as timely blog updates and new virtual storytime and STEM videos from our library staff members.
“Traffic to our eBooks and eAudiobooks on Overdrive has soared nearly 40 percent in the past seven days,” says Brehm-Heeger. “We’ve redirected more of our resources towards digital content to make sure even more titles are available for our customers during this time.”
Ohio residents have the option to sign up for a free Library card online (click the Downloadable Only Card option), so they can begin using the Library's eBranch as soon as they receive their confirmation email.
For updates about Library services and responses during this time, visit our Library Restart page or follow us on social media @cincylibrary.
