SWPL News

Summer Reading Challenge June 5-July 31

Summer Reading Challenge 2021 Is Here!

Southwest Public Libraries is excited to present another summer of reading and learning fun with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge featuring the theme Tails and Tales. We have a full and exciting slate of performers and entertainers (joining us virtually), programs (virtual), take & make kits, storytimes (virtual), and so much more lined up for you.

Summer Reading Challenge is offered for all ages, babies through adults. Track your reading, attend virtual programs, do online activities, explore library resources, complete missions and quests, and more for the chance to earn prizes.

Click here to sign up online.

Click here to view the Happenings newsletter with all programs & events.

Click here to view the website calendar.

Registration

Beginning June 5, you can register

online
in person at the library or
through the READsquared app

How it works

This year’s SRC will be a combination of virtual programs and performers, online activities, and take-home kits and activities for the continued safety of our community, but have no fear, there’s plenty of fun and opportunities to interact.

Babies, Kids, Teens: Earn points for reading, for completing missions and quests, and for participating in programs. Prizes: coupon pack, book, end of SRC raffle.
Adults: Read and submit book reviews to earn raffle points for end of challenge gift card raffle. Milestone prize after 5 reviews.

Raffle Prizes (drawn at end)

Babies: Fold & Go Barn; Road Rug and Cars
Kids: Art Easel; tickets to Kings Island, COSI, or Columbus Zoo
Teen: Instax camera; Target gift card; Kings Island tickets
Adults: 10 gift card winners ($20 ea.)

Online Performers (Mondays)

The library invites participants to join weekly performers and entertainers online. Links will be shared on the library's Facebook page.

(June 7, 12:00 p.m.) Children’s author Laura Numeroff, best known for the series based on her book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
(June 14, 10:30 a.m.) Columbus Zoo
(June 21, 10:30 a.m.) TaleWise, a show interweaving stories and science
(July 12, 10:30 a.m.) Turtle Dance Music, a music and comedy show crafted to be inclusive for all children including those on the autism spectrum
(July 19, 10:30 a.m.) Wildlife Encounters, bringing favorite animal characters from books to life
(July 26, 10:30 a.m.) Reggie Harris: Music and the Underground Railroad

Programs

In addition, library staff will virtually present a host of special programs, storytimes, book discussions, and more for all ages throughout the summer while also providing ample opportunities to get hands on with a variety of take-home “Take & Make” craft and activity kits.

Explore the Happenings Newsletter or the web calendar to see all events and kits.

Hiring Youth Services Librarian (Westland)

Southwest Public Libraries is hiring a Youth Services Librarian to join our team at Westland Area Library!

The Youth Services Librarian is an enthusiastic, compassionate, self-motivated, problem solving, creative individual who connects with youth and families, establishes community relationships, and organizes programs that support early literacy and school success. The Youth Services Librarian manages a team, providing motivation, structure, and guidance to enable them to consistently deliver a full suite of high quality library service, programming, and resources to young people and their families in the community. Our ideal candidate is a curious, reflective person who is committed to lifelong learning and ready to uphold the core principles of youth librarianship.

This is a full-time position.

To learn more and apply click here.

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Hiring Maintenance Assistant + Part-time Shelver

Southwest Public Libraries is seeking individuals to join our team. The library currently has openings for:

Maintenance Assistant
Part-time Shelver (Westland)

Click here to learn more about these positions and apply.

Lynda.com is switching to LinkedIn Learning for Libraries on May 6

Lynda.com is merging into its parent company LinkedIn to become LinkedIn Learning. The library version will become LinkedIn Learning for Libraries during the first week in May. With LinkedIn Learning, you will receive more personalized recommendations for Lynda.com content, suggested courses and learning paths that are more closely aligned with your career goals and educational interests. Here is what you can expect with the change:

Over 16,000 courses in 7 different languages

An updated, easier-to-use interface
Their previous course history from Lynda.com
Authentication/log in via library card and PIN without the need for a LinkedIn profile

Important note: Patrons who use Lynda.com should log in before May 6^th to print or save any Certificates of Completion they have on their account. This content will NOT transfer to the new interface.

See this link for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/107121

Lynda.com and LinkedIn Learning will be unavailable for a few hours on May 6^th as patron data is migrated to the new LinkedIn Learning for Libraries interface.

Free at-home COVID-19 test kits available for no-contact pickup

Southwest Public Libraries (SPL) has partnered with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to distribute free at-home COVID-19 test kits.

The rapid-test kits have been purchased by ODH and are offered free of charge to the public on a voluntary basis. Kits are available at both Grove City and Westland for no-contact pickup only.

The test is self-administered at home during a free session with a telehealth proctor and offers results in approximately 15 minutes. To use, you will need an email address, internet connection, and a device with a webcam. The tests are Abbot BinaxNOW nasal swab antigen tests. Abbot has partnered with eMed for the telehealth sessions.

Those interested in picking up a test kit should download the NAVICA app from Google Play or the iOS App Store. The app enables users to find pickup sites, receive a pickup pass, manage their health profiles, and store test results for a limited time.

The library is offering kits for no-contact pickup only. To request a kit for pickup, patrons should:

Download the NAVICA app from Google Play or iOS App Store and create an account.
Call the library and request a test kit for pickup. The only personal info we will ask for is your last name so that we can bag and label your kit for pickup. You do not need to have a library card.
Come pick up your requested kit from no-contact tables set up near the entrance. Please do not pick up if you are feeling unwell. A friend or family member may pick up instead.
Take the test kit home to complete. Users will need to go to ohio.emed.com to start their telehealth session. The telehealth proctor will guide the user through collecting the sample and reading and understanding results.

Please be aware:

No testing is done on site, and library staff are not permitted to assist in any part of the test nor provide any medical or testing advice.
Users should contact their local health department for any questions not related to pickup. (Franklin County Department of Health 614-525-3160)
The library does not collect nor keep any personal information in regards to these tests. The telehealth partner handles all reporting to public health officials as required.

In collaborating with libraries and other organizations across the state, ODH is working to make test kits readily available to everyone in all of Ohio's counties. By partnering with ODH and making test kits easily accessible, SPL hopes to help keep our community healthy and simplify the testing process for those who need it for work, school, travel, or other purposes.

Contact info for local county health departments

Setting up NAVICA app Android (Google Play)

Setting up NAVICA app iOS (App Store)

How eMed teleheath session works (short video)