• Barnett Branch: Monday-Friday: 3:30-4:30 p.m. & Saturday: 2:30-3 p.m.
• Driving Park Branch: Monday-Saturday: 4:15-4:45 p.m.
• Franklinton Branch: Monday-Friday: 3:30-4 p.m. & Saturday: 12:15-12:45 p.m.
• Hilltop Branch: Monday-Friday: 3:15-3:45 p.m. & Saturday: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
• Karl Road Branch: Monday-Friday: 4:15-4:45 p.m. & Saturday: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
• Linden Branch: Monday-Saturday: 4-4:30 p.m.
• Main Library: Monday-Friday: 3:15-3:45 p.m.
• Martin Luther King Branch: Monday-Saturday: 3:45-4:45 p.m.
• Northern Lights Branch: Monday-Saturday: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Northside Branch: Monday-Friday: 4:15-4:45 p.m. & Saturday: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
• Parsons Branch: Monday-Saturday: 4-4:45 p.m.
• Reynoldsburg Branch: Monday-Saturday: 4:15-4:45 p.m.
• Shepard Branch: Monday-Friday: 4:15-4:45 p.m. & Saturday: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
• South High Branch: Monday-Saturday: 4-5 p.m.
• Southeast Branch: Monday-Friday: 4:15-4:45 p.m. & Saturday: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
• Whitehall Branch: Monday-Saturday: 4-4:30 p.m.

These locations were selected for the meal program based on student need. A typical super-snack provided by Children’s Hunger Alliance consists of a fruit, vegetable, protein, grain and milk.

“Food insecurity remains a pervasive issue facing our community,” said CML CEO Lauren Hagan. “We’re grateful for the tremendous resources and partnership provided by Children’s Hunger Alliance.”

“We know that children need nourishing food year-round, and I am thankful for our continued partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Library to ensure we can get food to kids when school is out,” said Michelle M. Brown, president and CEO of CHA. “Together, we will continue to reduce food insecurity in central Ohio.”

Children’s Hunger Alliance is a statewide nonprofit that has been leading the charge to break the cycle of childhood hunger in Ohio since 1970. Working with over 1,800 partners across the state, CHA provides food and nutrition education to children right where they are: at in-home childcare, childcare centers, schools, after-school programs, over weekends, and during the summer. For more information, visit childrenshungeralliance.org.

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Thursday, Sept. 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Participating employers and organizations include:

• ASMG/Greater Columbus Convention Center
• City of Columbus (multiple departments including Fire, Police and Public Safety)
• Columbus Metropolitan Library
• Columbus State Community College
• COTA
• FedEx
• Fifth Third Bank
• Franklin County Board of Commissioners Human Resources
• Gap, Inc.
• Grant Medical Center
• JPMorgan Chase
• Kroger Great Lakes Distribution Center
• KDC/One
• Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital
• OhioMeansJobs Columbus Franklin-County
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• SSA Group at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
• Trades (multiple construction trades)
• Worthington Enterprises
• More

Additionally, representatives from Columbus State Community College, the Human Resource Association of Central Ohio (HRACO) and Fifth Third Bank will host breakout sessions to assist job-seekers:

Columbus State Community College
Brief Information Sessions | Meeting Room 2B | 11:30 a.m. (healthcare), 12:30 p.m. (advanced manufacturing) & 1:30 p.m. (information technology)
Learn more about in-demand career paths through Columbus State Community College (CSCC). Employers are seeking CSCC graduates to fill well-paid jobs in many fields.

HRACO Workshop & Headshots
Job Searching 101: Tips, Tricks, and Tech! | Meeting Room 1A | 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Strengthen your resume and increase your chances of getting interviews.
Professional Headshots | Outside Meeting Room 1A | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free professional headshots are available first come, first serve.

Fifth Third Bank
Banking-to-Go | Meeting Room 3A | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Meet one-on-one with a banker to review your credit report and learn ways to improve your credit health.
Financial Wellness Course | Meeting Room 3B | 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.
This workshop is designed to help you understand, improve, and manage your credit score before starting a new job.

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With a CML library card:

• Families can check out books and access educational resources
• Students can get School Help and access educational resources and study spaces
• Young professionals can get job and career development help, reserve meeting rooms and access digital media
• Seniors can enjoy lifelong learning and improve their tech literacy to stay connected
• New residents can access information about local programs and services

“No matter your age, background or needs, a Columbus Metropolitan Library card can unlock pathways to help you improve your life,” says CML CEO Lauren Hagan. “And if you already have a library card, stop in: Our staff are waiting to help you discover something new.”

A CML library card is available, at no cost, to all residents of Ohio.

The post Library launches campaign to encourage card signups appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

• Reading Buddies: One-on-one reading practice with an adult for students K-3.
• School Help: Academic supportforstudents K-12.
• Teens Create Open Studio: A space where teens can explore their creativity, craft unique projects, create music, and connect with friends (offered at select locations).
• After-School Snack: In partnership with the Children’s Hunger Alliance (offered at select locations).
• More: Click here to learn more about how CML strives to be an engaging after-school space for central Ohio students.

School Help starts on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The programoffers free academic support for K-12 students. They can stop in to get help with schoolwork or join in skill-building activities. Students will have access to computers and supplies with friendly staff and volunteers to guide them, plus access to free online research tools.

See below for specific hours at participating library locations. Service hours reflect differences in school dismissal times among the 10 districts CML serves (Canal Winchester Local, Columbus City, Dublin City, Gahanna-Jefferson Public, Groveport Madison Local, Hamilton Local, Hilliard City, New Albany-Plain Local, Reynoldsburg City and Whitehall City).

Visit columbuslibrary.org/school-help for details about the library’s after-school offerings.

SCHOOL HELP HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday-Friday: 3-6 p.m.
Main Library (grades 6-12 only) and Barnett, Canal Winchester, Franklinton, Hilltop, Martin Luther King, New Albany, Northside, Parsons, Whetstone, Whitehall branches

Monday-Thursday: 3:30-6:30 p.m. and Friday: 3-6 p.m.
Driving Park, Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Northern Lights, Shepard branches

Monday-Thursday: 4-7 p.m. and Friday: 3-6 p.m.
Karl Road, Reynoldsburg, Southeast branches

The post Library to host open houses to share information about after-school programs and activities for students appeared first on Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Special staff-led programs and customer-led activities will accompany the exhibit, and CML staff will have bug-themed books available for customers to check out.

Visit columbuslibrary.org/giant-bugs-at-main for more information.

Models provided by Billings Productions, Inc.

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Margaret Peterson Haddix & Natalie Richards*
Tuesday, Aug. 5 | 6 p.m.
Hilliard Branch | 4500 Hickory Chase Way

Ally Carter in conversation with Terreece M. Clarke
Sunday, Aug. 10 | 2 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Saeed Jones & Maggie Smith
Tuesday, Sept. 9 | 6 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Renato Cisneros (en Español)
Saturday, Sept. 13 | 3:30 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Jashar Awan*
Saturday, Oct. 4 | 11 a.m.
Karl Road Branch | 5590 Karl Rd.

Andrew Welsh-Huggins
Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 6:30 p.m.
Hilliard Branch | 4500 Hickory Chase Way

R.L. Stine
Thursday, Oct. 23 | 6 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Marissa Meyer & Alix E. Harrow
Monday, Nov. 3 | 6 p.m.
Main Library | 96 S. Grant Ave.

Derrick Barnes*
Saturday, Nov. 15 | 10:30 a.m.
Hilliard Branch | 4500 Hickory Chase Way

Karen McManus
Friday, Dec. 5 | 10 a.m.
Virtual Event

*This program is made possible by Battelle, whose gift to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation helps make it possible for CML to host additional author talks for kids and teens.

Additional author programs may be added. Visit columbuslibrary.org/authors-at-the-library for the most current schedule.

Author talks at CML are free and open to the public, however registration is required to reserve seating. CML will share registration details in the weeks leading up to each program on its Authors at the Library page.

Note: Headshots of each author are available upon request.

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All 23 air conditioned library locations are open to all and provide comfortable seating, public computers with Internet access, free WiFi and a collection of great books and magazines. Customers can also sign up for Summer Reading Challenge and take part in any of the hundreds of engaging programs and events taking place all summer long.

Click here for addresses and hours of CML’s 23 library locations.

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The display, painstakingly created over the course of many months by approximately 40 members of the Ohio LEGO Users Group (OhioLUG), honors central Ohio’s own Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “Many of the habitats are even based on their real-life counterparts, but with an imaginative LEGO twist!” says Steve Jogan, OhioLUG president.

Customers and LEGO lovers of all ages are invited to view the display through Aug. 8. While at Main Library, customers can also sign up for CML’s Summer Reading Challenge and earn prizes just by reading.

OhioLUG is a group of adults based in Ohio that have (re)discovered the joy of building creations out of the popular LEGO brand building blocks. Visit ohiolug.org to learn more.

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Ten Culture Passes will be available for in-person checkout at CML’s Main Library before six select home games. Each pass admits two individuals of any age to attend Crew home games on July 19, July 25, July 29, Aug. 1, Aug. 5 and Aug. 23. Ten passes for the next game will be made available for checkout at Main Library the day after each game. The first round of passes for the game on July 19 will be available for checkout next week.

CML offers its cardholders free admission to select central Ohio cultural institutions. The Culture Pass program enables CML customers to borrow passes just as they would a book: using their library card. This onetime pass, which must be checked out in person, grants customers limited free access to institutions that would otherwise charge admission fees. Click here for more information.

CML piloted the program in 2018, offering Culture Passes to Franklin Park Conservatory and the Wexner Center for the Arts. Since then, CML has worked to expand the number of participating organizations.

“With the help of our community partners, we’re working to expose all central Ohioans to the many renowned cultural gems we are fortunate to have at our doorstep,” said CML Director of Marketing & Communications Gregg Dodd. “As a public library, our role is to ensure equal access to all, and that goes well beyond books.”

“The Columbus Crew are thrilled to join Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Cultural Pass program to help accomplish the Club’s mission of championing soccer in Columbus,” said Stephanie Cedeño, Crew Director of Community Relations. “The Crew and library have a shared commitment to education, and this partnership will help the Club continue to grow the beautiful game and encourage the community to support their local library.”

Current participating cultural organizations:

• BalletMet: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• CAPA: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Chamber Music Columbus: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Children’s Theatre: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Clippers: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Crew: Passes available at CML’s Main Library
• Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches
• Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Symphony: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• Dawes Arboretum: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Franklin Park Conservatory: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Martin Luther King and Shepard branches
• Jazz Arts Group: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Barnett, Franklinton, Martin Luther King and Parsons branches
• Ohio History Center: Passes available at CML’s Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights and Northside branches
• Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• ProMusica: Passes available at all 23 CML locations
• Shadowbox Live: Passes available at CML’s Main Library and Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard and New Albany branches

The Culture Pass program offers each participating institution the opportunity to select which specific CML locations will offer their passes based on the neighborhoods and communities associated with their outreach, diversity and inclusion goals. Therefore, Culture Passes are only available for in-person customer checkout at the specific CML locations listed above. Culture Passes cannot be reserved like traditional library items. However, customers can check their availability at columbuslibrary.org by typing “Culture Pass” into the catalog search bar.

Each participating organization offers their passes to CML and its customers for free. CML does not purchase passes as it does with traditional library materials. Each organization sets its own rules for how many individuals are covered under its passes and on which days the passes will be honored. Partner organizations also set the number of passes allotted to each designated CML location.

The Culture Pass program previously included the Wexner Center for the Arts, however since admission to the museum is now free, both partners are exploring new partnership opportunities.

Click here for additional CML press announcements and media resources.

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COLUMBUS—Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) has hired Darren Demaree as manager of its Marion-Franklin Branch. He officially began his new role on Sunday, June 8.

A Mount Vernon native, Demaree joined CML in 2019, serving in a customer services role at the Dublin Branch. Most recently, he served as Customer Services Manager at the Barnett Branch. Demaree received his Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from Kent State University. He lives with his family in Clintonville.

Currently CML’s smallest location, and one of its two “express” branches, the Marion-Franklin Branch did not previously have a dedicated manager. However, a larger, standalone Marion-Franklin Branch is expected to open later this year.

“Darren is a passionate community advocate and public servant,” says CML Chief Public Services Officer Charlie Hansen. “We know he is eager to cut the ribbon on the new branch and introduce Marion-Franklin residents to their new 21st century library.”

NOTE: Electronic file of headshot available upon request.

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