The funds provided by this grant allowed the Sabina Public Library to set up a “Libraries with Heart” hub that includes a validated blood pressure testing device available for residents to use. In addition, the library will continue having periodic visits made by the Clinton County Health District to offer wellness checks for the community.

The goal of this project will be for the library to assist community
members with health information education and locating health resources. While this opportunity should not replace conversations with your health care team, the goal is for patrons to reduce the
barriers that may prevent regular blood pressure monitoring and help them gain a better understanding of their health information and available local health resources.

The American Heart Association’s mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The organization serves the needs of all Americans and is dedicated to fighting heart disease and strokes and promoting cardiovascular health. This funding opportunity and partnership with the American Heart Association will assist the library as it carries out its mission to inform, inspire, and enrich the community.

Party will include a short story and music video about Smokey Bear. A game of “Pin the Hat on Smokey” will then be played, followed by a bear craft and a birthday cupcake treat.

May 16th will kick off the Smokey Bear Reading challenge. Read 3 books and earn 4 activity badges this summer to complete the challenge. Challenge packets will be handed out during our birthday celebration or can be picked up at the library at a later date while supplies last.

The program is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Wilmington Public Library, and will open the month-long slate of events focusing on acclaimed non-fiction author Tracy Kidder’s “Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O’Connell’s Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People,” the book chosen in balloting by local readers.

Blanchester Public Library Director Chris Owens, who chairs the Clinton County Reads Steering Committee, said, “This isn’t the first time readers have chosen a book for our countywide reading program that touches on a local issue, but I cannot imagine a more topical book for 2024 than ‘Rough Sleepers.’ I encourage everyone to read this book and attend the programs and discussions, so we can gain a better understanding of homelessness and some of the ways to address this growing crisis.”

CCReads 2024 events will run through April 19 and are all open to the public.

The Blanchester Public Library will host Dr. Mark Mussman, from the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 21. His topic will be “Housing is Healthcare.”

The Sabina Public Library will host Hope House director Katie Terrell, at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4, who will speak on “Wilmington Hope House: 10 Years of Caring for Rough Sleepers in Clinton County.”

The Wilmington Public Library will host Robyn O’Dell, outreach coordinator for Healthsouce Ohio, at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 11. She will speak about providing healthcare to underserved people in the community and offer information on how to obtain health insurance and other health-related needs.

Book discussions are scheduled as follows: Books and Brews Book Club, 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 20, at TinCap; A.C.T. brown bag lunch and discussion, led by Rachel Boyd, R.N., B.N.S., noon, Wednesday, April 3, Wilmington Public Library; Blanchester Public Library Book Club, 7 p.m., Thursday, April 11, at the library; and Sabina Public Library Book Club, 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 19, at the library.

Wilmington Public Library will also host a read-in, with coffee and refreshments, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., on Friday, March 22. The informal agenda will allow time for reading and conversation about Kidder’s book.

Chef Jen Purkey will cater the closing dinner, on Thursday, April 18, in the Wilmington Municipal Building Moyer Community Room. The 6:30 p.m. dinner and keynote address, “Storytelling’s Connections to Healthcare,” by Dayton storyteller Nicole Ruttencutter, R.N., will be preceded by a 5 p.m. social hour at Olde Town Tavern.

Cost of the dinner, which includes salad, entree, dessert, beverage, and gratuity, is $20, and prepaid reservations should be made by April 15 at www.thekavahaus.com or by calling 937-763-4287.

Copies of “Rough Sleepers” are available at all public libraries in the county and through Books ’n’ More at booksnmore.indielite.com.

Now in its 19th year, Clinton County Reads is sponsored by the Blanchester Public Library, the Sabina Public Library and its New Vienna Branch, the Wilmington Public Library and its Clinton-Massie Branch, and Books ’n’ More.

In addition to Owens, members of the CCReads Steering Committee are Eileen Brady, Peggy Dunn, Joe Knueven, Bonnie Starcher, Marla Stewart, Esther Sorg, and Mary Thomas Watts.

–Article written by Mary Thomas Watts

Hope House Director Katie Terrell will be presenting a program at the Sabina Public Library on Thursday, April 4th at 6:30 PM. Any collected items will be given to her that evening. This program is part of the 2024 Clinton County Reads programming based on the winning title “Rough Sleepers” by Tracy Kidder.

Patrons with overdue fines will want to watch for an upcoming announcement on how you can exchange donated items for fine forgiveness on late materials.

These storytimes are geared towards children ages 5 and under, but children of all ages are welcome. Also, parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their children in order to provide positive examples when singing songs and playing games.

Each week, we will read a story or two and then have fun with activities such as family games, simple crafts, table activities, or snacks.

Mark your calendars, and come see us each week! We can’t wait to see you!

Three new holiday craft bags for children are available for checkout while supplies last. They include a hand tree with hearts, a love bug, and a red bear. Craft bags include a related library book that can be shared with children before being returned. We also have an assortment of coloring and puzzle pages that can be picked up to work on during your library visit or to take home.

We would also like to invite all ages to stop by the library in the next two weeks to make a Valentine’s Day card for delivery to Autumn Years Nursing Center. Just ask for materials at the front desk.

A New York Times bestseller and a 2023 NPR Best Book of the Year, “Rough Sleepers” is the inspiring story of Dr. Jim O’Connell, a Harvard Medical School graduate, who created a community of care for Boston’s unhoused population, including those who sleep on the streets, the “rough sleepers.” 

Kidder, an acclaimed author of book length, narrative nonfiction, followed Dr. O’Connell and his colleagues for five years, as they worked with thousands of homeless patients, some of whom are featured in the book.

The schedule for book discussions and programs, which will begin on March 18, will be announced next month. The annual county-wide reading program, now in its 19th year, will conclude with a closing dinner on April 18.

Copies of “Rough Sleepers” will be available at all of the public libraries in the county and at Wilmington College’s Watson Memorial Library, which sponsor Clinton County Reads.

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Patrons can now use their library card to access a new online database that the library has added to our services. The newspaper database, created by Newspaper Archive allows viewers to search thru a huge collection of newspapers from the 1700s-2000s. Our library has been able to afford to give patrons free access to all the Ohio newspapers that are part of this database. We are also working to add all Sabina & New Vienna newspapers that are in our microfilm collection. Our library edition subscription will run for a one year period. You can access the database while visiting the library or from your home using your library card barcode.   You will need to supply a working email address and your name when setting up your free account at Newspaper Archive.

To start using the database, go to the Sabina Library homepage and look for the Newspaper Archive button link toward the top right of the page.

You will be directed to the Newspaper Archive site where you will enter the barcode number from your library card and then hit the submit button.

Register for a new account when using the database for the first time. You will need to supply a working email address and your name to set-up your account.

An email will be sent to the address provided during registration. You will need to open the email and click the verification link. After doing so, a password will need to be created for your account.