SWPL News

NEW Resources Added and More! Your Digital Library 24/7.

Even though the physical library is currently closed, our digital library is available 24/7!

We are committed to providing our patrons improved access to digital content during this unprecedented closure. We are working to broaden limits on digital checkouts, channel more of our materials budget to digital content, and offer additional resources with the help of our wonderful vendors.

Here are just some of the many resources you can access from home, including some newly added special resources you can access for a limited time only. Scroll to the bottom for FAQs about SPL closure.

Find access to all of your usual favorite digital resources by clicking HERE including:

Overdrive: E-books and e-audiobooks. Download the Libby by Overdrive app for the easiest user experience.
RBdigital: E-audiobooks that are immediately accessible with no wait. Mobile app available.
Hoopla: A vast collection of e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, music, and more to borrow and enjoy with no wait! Mobile app available. Bonus Borrows: Now through April 30, 2020. Over a thousand select titlest to discover without using your monthly borrows.
Flipster: Instant access to dozens of popular magazines spanning subjects from cooking, DIY, entertainment, science, news, and more.
TumbleBooks: Animated talking picture books for children featuring animation, sound, music and narration.

Explore business, DIY, research and independent learning tools

On our homepage, make sure to check out the RESOURCES and STUDENT RESOURCES sections for business, DIY, research, and independent learning resources. (If you are on a mobile device, click on the menu icon—the black square with three horizontal lines—to access the Resources sections.)

You'll find popular resources including:

Creativebug: Featuring over 1000 online art and craft classes.
Lynda.com: Featuring thousands of video courses taught by experts to develop business, software, technology, and creative skills.
Transparent Language: Featuring lessons to learn over 100 languages.

Enjoy these NEW resources available for a limited time only!

SPL is able to provide these new digital resources for a limited time through the generosity of many of our vendors. Enjoy!

Audio Book Cloud: Features e-audiobooks for all ages. Username: tumble2020 | Password: A3b5c6

RomanceBookCloud cropped Romance Book Cloud: A large collection of steamy Romance novels for the older crowd. Username: tumble2020 | Password: A3b5c6

Teen Book Cloud: Features e-books for grades 7-12. Username: tumble2020 | Password: A3b5c6

hooplabonusborrows500x500 Hoopla Bonus Borrows: Now through April 30, 2020. Over a thousand select titlest to discover without using your monthly borrows i.e. they do not count against your monthly borrow limits. Find Hoopla here or download the mobile app.

Ancestry Library Edition: Now available to patrons remotely through April! This resource is usually available for in-library use only.

Health Reference Series ONLINE: Provides remote access to health and wellness information and publications in the Health Reference Series and Teen Health Series collections. Includes access to Global Pandemics and Epidemics and How They Relate to You, which includes a section dedicated to COVID-19. Available through April 30, 2020.

Choose the "Remote Password" option. Password: SPL2020

TumbleMATH: Features math e-books for grades K-6 math. Username: tumble2020 | Password: A3b5c6

Other Helpful Resources

Please note these resources are not provided by the library. Please follow the links for more information.

Literature:

Audible Stories: For as long as schools are closed, kids can instantly stream a collection of Audible stories to listen to, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. Free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Junior Library Guild: During this time, JGL is offering free, unlimited access to their online reading platform. Access Gold Standard e-books for Elementary, Middle School and High school students. JLG is the collection-development partner for school and public libraries across the nation.
Storyline Online: The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator.

Learning and Enrichment:

COSI Connects: COSI's Digital Doorway for at-home science discovery and learning. Every day, COSI will deliver fresh, exciting and engaging science through COSI videos and hands-on activities you can try at home. Visit for your daily science activity.
Free Spectrum Internet for Students: Beginning March 16, 2020 Spectrum will offer two free months of internet and WiFi services to new customers in households with Pre-K to 12 or college students who need remote education. Discount will be applied as a credit for your first two months of internet services, and any installation or pre-payment fees will be waived to help get you started. Click the link for more info.
450 Free Ivy League Courses: These courses are available online for audit.
NPR's list of live virtual concerts
Scholastic Learn at Home: Scholastic Learn at Home provides 20 days’ worth of free active learning journeys designed to reinforce and sustain educational opportunities for those students who are unable to attend school.
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Learning Lab offers teachers and educators access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more. Educators will find pre-packaged collections that contain lessons, activities, and recommended resources made by Smithsonian museum educators as well as thousands of classroom teachers.
Smithsonian Open Access Images: Nearly 3 million images to explore, use, and share from across the Smithsonian collections.

Stories, Activities, and Doodles:

Draw Every Day with JJK: Join children's author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka every weekday on YouTube for some doodles. Live at 2 p.m. EST.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willem: Mo Willems invites YOU into his studio every day for his LUNCH DOODLE. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. If you post your art to social media, be sure to hashtag it with #MoLunchDoodles! New episodes will be posted each weekday at 1:00 p.m. EST and then remain online to be streamed afterwards.
Mouse Circus: Neil Gaiman's Official Website for Younger Readers. Watch Neil read his story The Graveyard Book and a cast of characters read the chapter book Coraline. Play games and download activities based on Neil's books for kids.
Story Time from Space: Offers videos of stories being read from space.
Stories with Oliver Jeffers: Author Oliver Jeffers will live stream reading one of his books each weekday at 2 p.m. EST on Instagram Live. Archived videos available on his website here.

Even More Resources

These resources have been suggested or curated by community members, librarian interest groups, and others. The library holds no affiliation with these resources, and the views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views and opinions of SPL. We have included them here believing many may be of interest and encourage patrons to employ their own evaluations and judgments.

Extensive Calendar of daily livestreaming events. Includes direct links to daily storytimes, concerts, arts and crafts, and much more. Courtesy of Jennifer Foster.
Huge list of resource links. Endless free resources for children, adults, parents, educators, etc. There's something for everyone. Check it out!
Science Mom: Livestreamed science lessons each weekday from Science Mom featuring engineering challenges, crafts, games, Q&A, and more.
Virtual field trips: Links to over 30 virtual tours of parks, museums, zoos, famous attractions and more.
Virtual tours of 12 famous museums. Includes virtual tours of the British Museum; Musée d’Orsay, Paris; and National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

FAQs About Temporary Closure

Items Due
Due dates for all items checked out, including those through Interlibrary Loan, SearchOhio or OhioLINK, have been extended to April 13. Due to these unusual circumstances, we will work with anyone with items that were already past due before the closure. Please disregard any overdue notices you may receive.
Book Drops
Book drops at both locations are closed. Please keep all materials during this time of closure. No fees will be charged to your account.
Holds
Holds listed as Ready for Pick-up will be held at your pick-up location for 5 days after SPL reopens. Please disregard the pick-up date listed on your account. You may continue to place holds for items through the library’s catalog. All holds will show as “Suspended” until we reopen.
New Library Cards
During our unexpected closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still sign up online for a library card. Click here to sign up. On your “successful registration screen”, you will receive a temporary barcode (PACREG#######). You can use this temporary barcode and the pin you assigned to your account to begin immediately using digital library services. Once the library reopens, you have 30 days to come into one of our locations with a valid photo ID and proof of address to receive your full access card. All applicants must be residents of Ohio.
Existing Library Card Numbers and PINs
If you have a library card and do not know your number, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the full name on your card. During this unprecedented closure, we will send your card number to the e-mail associated with your account as soon as possible.

Library card PINs are 4 digits long. The PIN defaults to the last 4 numbers of the phone number associated with your account. You may have also opted to reset your PIN to a 4-digit number of your choosing. If you have registered for an account through our website, you can use the “Forgot your PIN?” link to be emailed a link to reset it. Please note: Library staff cannot reset your PIN for you.

Daily Calendar of Live Streaming Events. Stay In, Stay Healthy!

Stay in, stay healthy, and check out this calendar of all the live streams you can tune into each day while you are at home. Art, Music, Science, Storytimes, and so much more! Courtesy of Jennifer Foster.

3/13 NEW COVID-19 UPDATE: SPL to close through at least April 6

Southwest Public Libraries closes in efforts to combat COVID-19. Both locations of SPL will close through at least April 6, effective starting Saturday, March 14 at 6 pm.

A message from the director:

To all of our valued patrons, an important update regarding COVID-19. The health of our patrons and community remains paramount during this unprecedented and rapidly evolving health crisis. It is with this in mind that Southwest Public Libraries has made the difficult decision to close both locations, Grove City Library and Westland Area Library through at least April 6, effective Saturday, March 14 at 6 PM.

We did not make this decision lightly. Taking early action is crucial to our community’s health. With scientific evidence that early social distancing can help reduce community spread, the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, and a limited supply of sanitation necessities without which the library cannot operate, SPL is taking these measures in the best interests of our patrons and community.

While the library is closed, patrons can still access the multitude of digital offerings available through the library’s website, www.swpl.org, from e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, and streaming music and movies, to research databases and self-learning courses. The book drops will be locked and closed during this period. We ask that patrons hold on to all materials at this time. Holds and due dates have all been adjusted; nothing is due during this time. There will be no fines, and reserves will not be sent back.

We thank patrons for their understanding as we work together through this unprecedented crisis and urge everyone to continue to follow good health and hygiene practices. SPL will continue to closely monitor the situation and continue to follow government and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and guidelines. We will keep patrons updated as this situation continues to unfold.

Respectfully,

Mark M. Shaw
Director, Southwest Public Libraries

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Find accurate COVID-19 coronavirus information here:

Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) website
Ohio Government website

Trusted Sources for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates, Info, & Resources

**Ohio's New Stay at Home Order: March 23, 2020 to April 7, 2020**

On Sunday, March 22th, under the direction of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH issued a director’s order to require all Ohioans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 beginning at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 23, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020. This order prohibits holding gatherings of any size and closes all nonessential businesses. It does NOT prohibit essential activities like going to the grocery store, receiving medical care, or taking your pet for a walk. Read more below.

Trusted Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Sources

Ohio Department of Health: Information from the Ohio Department of Health including info specific to Ohio. Find stay at home info, Governor's orders, resources for parents and families, Ohio case statistics, resources for mental health, and more.
Franklin County Public Health: Information and Resources tailored to Franklin County. Franklin County Alerts: Sign up to receive local COVID-19 updates and alerts by texting “COVID19FC” to 888777.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Information available in English and Español. Find guidelines to protect yourself and others, news, updates, resources for yourself and your community, and more.
World Health Organizaton (WHO): Current international updates and statistics, myth-busters, and more.

Mental Health Resources

Support your mental health in addition to your physical health during this time. Below are some resources to help you manage anxiety and stress related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Manage Anxiety & Stress: Recommendations from CDC for things you can do to support your mental health during this time. Includes recommendations for yourself, for children and parents, for responders, and for those released from quarantine.
Coping with COVID-19 Anxiety: Recommendations from Dr. Amy Action, M.D., MPH, Ohio Department of Health Director.
More Resources: Links to additional helpful resources to support mental health and cope with COVID-19-related anxiety. Compiled by the Ohio Department of Health.
My RecoveryWorks, peer support. A program of Southeast Healthcare, providing online and in-person peer support, guidance and resources for those challenged with mental wellness and addictive behaviors.

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, reach out for help. Call

911 or
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)

Resources for Economic Support Ohio

Resources compiled by the Ohio Department of Health to connect you with local, state and federal resources and funds for the following impacted categories:

Individuals and families: unemployment resources, health insurance relief, school meals, and more.
Small businesses and non-profits: economic disaster loan program, bar and restaurant relief, daycare ratio updates, and more.

Food and Childcare Assistance

Food

Columbus Area/Franklin County Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens, Grab & Go School Lunch locations

Temporary Pandemic Child Care

Beginning Thursday, March 26, only child care programs with a Temporary Pandemic Child Care license will be permitted to operate in Ohio, serving only essential workers defined by the state with priority for key health and safety occupations.

Action for Children’s website hosts information for families including an interactive map of the ODJFS-approved Temporary Pandemic Child Care programs in Franklin and surrounding counties.

FAQs Issue 20: SPL Renewal Levy No Tax Increase, March 17, 2020

On March 17, 2020, Southwest Public Libraries is seeking the renewal of a historic 10-year, 1-mill levy passed by voters in November 2010.
Issue 20 is a straight renewal with no tax increase.

SPL is seeking the renewal to continue operation of public services and programming at Grove City Library and Westland Area Library. Combined, these libraries serve a population of over 130,000 people, offering free access to a multitude of resources, including early literacy initiatives, adult learning opportunities, modern meeting spaces, and millions of digital and physical materials.

The levy is a critical source of funding for the library. SPL currently operates through funding from two primary sources, the 1-mill levy and the Public Library Fund (PLF) from the state of Ohio. In 2018 the levy provided approximately 37% of SPL’s budget and the PLF approximately 56%.
The current levy—the first passed in SPL history—is set to expire at the end of 2020 and made up for cuts in state funding, enabling the library to restore full operating hours and services and purchase new materials. Issue 20 will renew the levy for another 10 years.

Patrons can visit vote411.org for a nonpartisan voter guide to the March 17 elections or to check polling locations, view a sample ballot, and more.

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Issue 20. Southwest Public Libraries looks forward to continuing to serve the community.