20 24 TUSCARAWAS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM MAIN LIBRARY • BOLIVAR • STRASBURG • SUGARCREEK • TUSKY • MOBILE SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT
CELEBRATED 75 YEARS Libraries have a long history of finding a way to get library materials into the hands of those who need them. At the TCPL, that history marked 75 years in 2024. It all began in 1949 with the purchase of the Library’s first bookmobile. Since then, Library vehicles have crisscrossed the roads of Tuscarawas County to provide library services to area schools, daycares, institutions, senior centers, and neighborhoods. The vehicles changed through the years, but the overall goal of Mobile Services remained the same — to bring the library to you. We celebrated the 75 - year milestone in 2024 with a Love My Bookmobile essay. The submitted essays shared the lasting impact the bookmobile had on those who used it and revealed the deep affection the community feels for Mobile Services. While we celebrated this historical milestone in 2024, we planned for the continuation of Mobile Services with the purchase of a new library vehicle which will take Mobile Services into 2025 and beyond. The Bolivar Branch threw a party in June 2024 to celebrate its 25th year being located on Water Street. The party included cake, lawn games, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, and more. Some 180 community members came out to celebrate the Library’s history. The Bolivar Library was established in 1937 under the leadership of Mary Ellen “Nellie” Oberlin. Eighty-four years ago, in 1940, the village of Bolivar partnered with the County Library to make the library a branch of the TCPL. The library was originally housed on Canal Street — first beside the old Helwick’s IGA then in the ‘70s next to the post office. The building served as a good home for the library until it outgrew its space in the mid ‘90s. It took about three years for the idea of a new library located on Water Street to become a reality. The Bolivar/ Lawrence Township Library Building Committee met for two years to discuss and plan for a new building. A new building opened to the community in June 1999. The library is located on the property donated as a park to the village by Roy Parks. Today, the Roy Parks Memorial Library serves all ages with traditional and digital resources, toys, computers, and MakerSpace equipment while the surrounding park offers benches, picnic areas, and free Wi-Fi. TCPL’s 1st bookmobile in 1949 TCPL’s new bookmobile arriving in 2025 Bolivar Branch Library today Bolivar Library in 1965 CELEBRATED 25 YEARS Director’s Note: Our staff was engaged throughout the year working on first-year objectives related to the goals of our LIbrary’s community-driven 2024-2026 strategic plan. In the area of Accessibility for All, we installed handicap buttons at our Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek, and Tuscarawas branches, as well as a new ramp at our Sugarcreek branch. We wrote grants and made plans for a handicap accessible bookmobile that will provide improved and greater access to library collections and services across our service district. We are looking forward to delivery of this vehicle in 2025. In the area of Diversity and Inclusion, we began offering English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in the fall to our Latino friends and neighbors. The need for the class was evident in the engagement of the students and the rate at which it grew. We also began making connections within the community with other organizations and nonprofits who strive to serve the Latino community. In the area of Know Your Community, we nutured longstanding partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and social service agencies like our local Emergency Management Association, satellite Senior Centers, and nursing homes. We initiated new partnerships especially within the arts community, including the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, Little Theatre, and the Ohio Arts Council. We were willing partners in the county, serving beside others in planning and assisting with community events. In the area of Lifelong Learning, we added to our collection and programs in areas of interest to our community. We sent staff to trainings on the subject of the science of reading, added new materials related to the collection, incorporated concepts into existing programs, and crafted new programs that showcased those principles. To expand our reach with new adults, we created a lineup of programs specific to ages 18-35 years. To engage our senior population, we offered programming regarding memory and caregiving, as well as art classes geared toward those 55 years and older. We created a large-scale program centered around the popular topic of sustainable living that featured vendors and classes that nearly 300 people attended. We offered technology and MakerSpace classes for those wishing to improve or learn a new skill. Finally, we subscribed to LinkedIn Learning to provide community access to hundreds of classes taught by leading experts in their field. Within this annual report you will see the impact through the Library’s 2024 stats, as well as testimonials from Library customers. Sincerely, Michelle McMorrow Ramsell of Mobile Services at Water Street
Grants Assist in Arts Programming Families were introduced to classical orchestra in a Tunes and Tales series in partnership with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic and partially funded with a Tuscarawas Arts Support grant. Adults ages 55+ made friendships as they explored wet felting techniques in a Creative Aging series funded from an Ohio Arts Council grant. COMMUNITY IMPACT 171,164 Visits to our library system I alone saved over $2,000 in 2024 visiting the library instead of purchasing books. ~Stephanie Garrott Occupation: Curriculum Director at Conotton Valley Schools I only went to school for two years in my home country. Now I can read Spanish and I’m working on English through this class. ~Christina Rodriguez Stay-at-home Mom and English Language Learner Course Student 752, 710 Print, non-print, and digital Items were checked out across our library system 579 Meeting room reservations reservations at our Bolivar Branch and Main Library 2,000 Eclipse glasses were distributed across our system for viewing the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th. Library locations held watch parties to celebrate this rare and spectacular event. 1,098 Library of Things and STEAM Kits checked out 719 Passport appointments 30,336 Reference questions answered 664 Notary appointments What a better place to come to than the library. I used the computer to type my resume, printed it there, and landed the job I was applying for at the bank. ~Jill Walker Occupation: Client Experience Specialist Your Top Reads for 2024 155,479 Articles accessed through local and state databases 89 people attended 16 English Language Learner Courses offered September through November Sponorships provided by the Literacy Coalition and Friends of the Library - NP. 88 Tutoring Sessions at our Bolivar Branch and Main Library assisted 177 Students 33,419 People attended 1,825 programs across our library system
1,303 Summer meals served in partnership with TUFF Bags and area local churches 4,762 Healthy snacks were given to kids and teens Little Free Library Installations In 2024, TCPL partnered and assisted in the addition of two new libraries to its Little Free Library initiative, which promotes literacy by providing access to reading materials. One was installed at the Southside Community Park and one at the Somerdale Park. 2,279 Paper and hygiene items collected and donated to the Friends of the Homeless GIVING OPPORTUNITES 172 Books provided to Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital through the Books for Babies Trust Fund (86 of those being bilingual) When my father-in-law passed I used the MakerSpace to make custom shirts for the family to wear with his favorite quote. It was a great way to honor him and do something so personal. ~Courtney Rae Tusky Valley Bus Driver 490 Visits to home delivery customers 385 Visits to area nursing homes 3,657 Items picked up at the 24/7 lockers in New Phila and Sugarcreek 9,795 Items picked up at our Main Library drive up window DELIVERIES AND STOPS $887 Donated by staff to area nonprofits through dress down days 6,911 People visited 189 Pop-Up Libraries Looking back. the Bookmobile brought the world to our doorstep each week. I remember the smiles. I remember the joy. And while the unit itself has changed, the joy it delivers has not. ~Bev Keller Winner of the I Love My Bookmobile Let Me Count The Ways... Writing Contest 766 Crates of books delivered to teachers in 5 school districts, 14 schools, and 81 classrooms I have a lot of spare time. I’m glad the library offers home delivery/nursing home services. I would be lost without it. ~Jane Cotter Park Village Resident $59,875.79 Balance as of December 31, 2024 $3,599.89 Community contributions
WWW.TUSCLIBRARY.ORG | 330-364-4474 MAIN LIBRARY • BOLIVAR • STRASBURG • SUGARCREEK • TUSKY • MOBILE SERVICES
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