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December Message from the Director
As we celebrate the holiday season, a thank you must go to the thousands of you, the voters, who understood the essential role of your public library in the educational, economic and cultural fabric of Toledo and Lucas County.
A strong and vibrant public library is a sign of a strong and vibrant city, and ultimately a sign of how that city values its residents. Our board of trustees and library officials are working hard to restore some of what we lost due to past funding cuts. Several of our locations will return to Sunday hours and many of our libraries will soon be open more in the evenings.
Another gift to our patrons will be more books and Library materials on the shelves and the continuation of FREE programs for all ages. We will keep giving all year through by offering free computer access, help with job searches, public meeting spaces and many other critical educational services.
We urge the community and our patrons to continue to keep the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library as one of the best in the nation, and one of the most supported by its community. The Library is the community's gift to itself - truly, a relevant, innovative and democratic Library that is critical to the future success of our children and the vitality of our city.
May all of you have a very Happy Holiday season.
Clyde Scoles,
Director of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library |
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Tis the season
For tech gadgets |
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Something for everyone
Before you head out to purchase those tech gadgets to give as holiday gifts, stop by or call the Library. Our librarians and audio-visual experts can give advice on all the latest electronic devices that are compatible with our FREE eMedia titles. Downloadable classes>> |
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You asked. We listened. More library hours are coming to your neighborhood in early 2013. Library officials are working on a plan now and will keep you posted. Thank you Lucas County voters! |
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Why pay for e-books?
Get them for FREE!
Why pay to download great ebook finds such as "Running Blind" by Lee Child or "The Winter Sea" by Susanna Kearsley? The same goes for listening to popular audiobooks like Mick Jagger by Phillip Norman. It's all free when you visit the Downloadable page at toledolibrary.org. Patrons continue to get excited by the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library's more than 26,000 ever expanding offerings of ebooks, audiobooks, and some videos and music that can all be easily downloaded to a variety of platforms from mobile phones to iPads, personal computers, and eReaders (Sony Reader, Kindle, Nook). You can also download even more great music to your electronic device by popular artists such as Adele, Alicia Keys, and One Direction with the Freegal Music database, located on the Library's web site. Freegal offers over 3.5 million eMusic songs, which includes the entire Sony music catalog and a number of other indie labels. Log on to toledolibrary.org and learn more on how to download by taking an easy tutorial. All you need is your Library card to get started. For more information or to register for a group or a one-on-one class, call 419.259.5285. more>> |
 Patrons to enjoy
computer updates The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is preparing for internal software upgrades in order to better serve its patrons. The new software, titled Sierra, allows our staff better functionality and workflow. As a result of the improvements, all computer-related services for patrons, including access to public computers and the library catalog and databases, are scheduled to be down on Wednesday, December 12. Staff will be able to manually check out your items on this date. Please read more on other temporary service interruptions. more>> |
 Do you hear what I hear?Holiday concerts at Main No need to shhhh! - Tis the season to be jolly at Main Library for our 2012 Holiday Concert Series. Music and merriment will abound as everyone is welcome to attend this free annual concert scheduled December 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. All performances are from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Stop by on your lunch hour. The kick-off concert on Wednesday, December 12 features Susan Hedler & Cecilia Johnson (harpist and flutist). more>> |
 Access Center Anniversary It's hard to believe that about one year ago, the Kent Branch Library @CCESS Center re-opened in the Old West End community thanks to a $2.2 million broadband stimulus grant. In mid-November, Kent acknowledged its one year anniversary by handing out pencils and candy to patrons. The @CCESS Center closed to the public in November 2010 and re-opened one year later in November 2011 with state-of-the-art improvements, high-speed computers and overall restoration. Computer classes and training continue to be popular at the branch with enhanced classes beginning in January 2013, including sessions for e-readers. Patrons love the new, improved and upgraded Kent, now ranked as the top branch in the system for computer use. Happy Anniversary Kent! Info: 419.259.5340. more>> |
 Cybermobile rolling along The Library's Cybermobile, operated by Outreach Services, hit the road at the first of the year with a full tank of gas. Almost a year later, the brightly-colored mobile serves 37 locations on a monthly schedule. The Cybermobile, funded from a $2.2 million broadband stimulus grant, serves an average of 100 patrons a week with 11 computers on board and two programs daily. Computer training, job research, and even GED instruction are just some of the offerings patrons receive on board. Check out our 2013 route schedule here for more information. more>> |
 Out of the vault --
Holiday cards unveiled
Over the holidays, be sure to bring your family members and out-of-town guests to the Local History and Genealogy department at Main Library, 325 Michigan St., for our month-long holiday exhibit. The display, on view December 1 through the end of 2012, features 10 renderings from "Twas the Night Before Christmas" completed by Helmut Thomas as a Public Works Administration Art Project in 1934, and a display of handmade holiday cards designed from the 1930s - 1960s from members of the Toledo Artists' Club. Members used a variety of media to make the cards, from wood cuts to drawings, and during World War II some of the holiday cards reflected the sentiment of war time. The Toledo Artists' Club donated some 500 holiday cards to Local History. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular library hours. more>> |
 Put gently used books
on your holiday list Books are a fun and affordable way to give a memorable and long-lasting gift during this holiday season. Stop by the Friends of the Library (FOL) 2012 Book Sale for some amazing finds on December 6, 7 & 8 at the FOL Book Center, 1301 Reynolds Rd. Books (paperback and hard cover), videos, magazines, and more range from about 25 cents to $1. This public sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all three days. Proceeds from Friends Book Sale events directly benefit Library programs such as Summer Reading programs, Authors! Authors!, Brown Bag Summer Concerts and more.
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 Vitrolite Inlay Restoration It's always fun to watch new visitors walk through the doors of historic Main Library and look up in amazement at the pigmented structured glass in Central Court, or in the Children's Library. The formal name of the sleek glass is Vitrolite, popularized in homes and in architecture during the 1920s and 30s. During the late 1980s, regular inspections of Main Library's mosaic Vitrolite installation have occurred. The four to six-week inspection, performed by a skilled glazier, are to ensure that all sections of the rare glass are secured to the block wall and to restore any mosaics that are in need. The annual inspection of the Vitrolite installation was just recently completed. Now, patrons can enjoy these unique works of art for years to come. more>> |
 Your Gifts Do Make
a Difference! The giving season is upon us, and you are likely to be inundated with requests for support. When you make your charitable decisions this year, the Library hopes you will generously support our valuable programs and essential materials that strengthen our community.
Please consider making a charitable contribution to support your Library with a donation to the Library Legacy Foundation. You may also honor a friend or loved one this holiday season with a gift to the Library Legacy Foundation, and your honoree will receive notification of your gift.
Gifts to the Foundation from donors like you help to fund free programs and services and allow us to purchase more books and materials. Every gift will help! Donate Now >>
The Library Legacy Foundation has a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, and your entire donation will qualify as a charitable deduction. If you have questions, please contact Kathryn Fell at kathryn.fell@toledolibrary.org or 419.259.5123. |
 Branch Spotlight - Mott Mott Branch first opened in 1918 and was built with funds from famous library philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It has been expanded twice, first in the mid-1970s and again in 1999. Mott Branch established the Mott Community Garden in 2010 with the assistance of Toledo Grows, youth patrons, and foster grandparents. This past summer, bushels of vegetables, flowers, strawberries and sunflower seeds were harvested by the neighborhood children with help from Master Gardeners. Others also benefitted from the bounty, as the extra vegetables were set out for patrons to take home! The branch is a touchstone in the neighborhood in which it resides, and offers a safe haven for fun, learning and year-round programs. The popular Homework Helper program offers assistance to all school-age children three days a week. Teen events include a newly-formed teen book discussion group, teen trivia contests and more! more>> |
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