Register to Vote
The last day to register to vote in the 2016 presidential election is Tuesday, October 11. Registration only takes a few minutes, and the Campbell County Public Library is making it easy. Read more
Category: Community
We love Campbell County. Here are some stories about our community, including the people who make this community a great place to work and live.
Library helps launch new business
William “Billy” Cole of Newport is a man with a plan — a plan he put in motion at the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch. Read more
Congratulations Kennedy on 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Kennedy Stith of Alexandria, Ky., didn’t just read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. She read 1,000 books before she even turned 3.
Sign comes down; commitment to southern Campbell County stands firm
For several years, a sign pointing to the “Future Site of Campbell County Public Library” has been visible from US 27 near Parkside south of Alexandria. The Library has no immediate plans to pursue construction of the new library, and a decision was made to take the sign down this week.
“Having a sign up implies construction might start soon, and that is confusing since there are no plans to move forward with a new library at this time,” said JC Morgan, director of the library. “The sign had become worn and the expense of replacing it, when no immediate plans are in place, did not seem wise,” he said.
The Library is exploring ways to provide some library services in southern Campbell County but no decisions have been made as to location or what services would be offered.
For now, the Library still owns the land at US 27 and Parkside and fundraising for a new library continues in the hope that one day, a new library building with full-service operations will be possible.
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Tracy Smith appointed to board; President, Treasurer reappointed
Tracy Smith of Alexandria was appointed Aug. 3 to the Board of the Campbell County Public Library by the Campbell County Fiscal Court. She fulfills the unexpired term of Steven Trumbo, who resigned in May. Her term will end Sept. 30, 2018. In addition, Cathy Howard of Fort Thomas and Paul Johnson of California, KY, were reappointed to serve their second four-year terms, which expire in 2020.
World’s Largest Storytime rocks
“Miss Joan”, aka Joan Johnsen, read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at the World’s Largest Storytime.
More than 200 kids of all ages rocked, rattled and rolled at Tower Park Amphitheater in Fort Thomas for the World’s Largest Storytime on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
CCPL was proud to participate in the event, which was part of the Childhood Literacy Initiative, sponsored by the United Way, the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Simultaneous storytimes were held at other locations in the area. In Fort Thomas, morning rains gave way to glorious, albeit hot and steamy sun just in time for a big crowd.
CCPL Children’s Librarians revved up the youngsters, who were supplied with free maracas, with singing and dancing to kick things off. Then Newport Children’s Librarian Joan Johnsen, who is retiring this month after 14 years, led a raucus reading of Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault and illustrator Lois Ehlert’s children’s classic, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The youngsters joyfully supplied the “boom booms” during the reading.
The party continued with a reading of Eric Litwin’s Pete the Cat by Carrico/Fort Thomas Children’s Librarian Laura Stanfield.
Balloon artists from Cincinnati Circus Company entertained parents and children and, of course, presented kids with creatively crafted balloons. There were also plenty of activities for the kids, including bookmark coloring, tattoos and book giveaways.
And perfect relief from the heat was provided by cool refreshments, courtesy of Kona Ice.
Campbell County Public Library thanks everyone who came down to Tower Park and made this special day a big success. Thanks also to those who donated new or gently used books, which will be used to strengthen literacy and overcome educational barriers in childhood poverty. In addition, thanks to our partners, the City of Fort Thomas, for providing the venue, and Blue Marble Books, 1356 South Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas.
Here are more photos from the event:
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Thousands attend Jolly Thursdays programs
Our record-breaking second season of Jolly Thursdays has come to a close. Read more
Audiobooks help cochlear implant patient hear again
Going the extra step is so much a part of the Library circulation staff’s routine, it’s a wonder they don’t wear a hole in the floor. Read more
Happy trails, Miss Joan
Joan Johnsen – or, as we all know her, “Miss Joan” – is trading her longtime role as Children’s Librarian at our Newport Branch for a full-time role as grandmother when she retires this month.
Miss Joan as Willy Wonka.
In her 14 years with the Library, Miss Joan has helped a generation learn the joy of reading from story times and special events, such as Summer Reading Kickoff and Early Literacy Fair.
We will have one more opportunity to say thanks on a grand stage when Miss Joan joins our other children’s librarians at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10 at Tower Park in Fort Thomas for the World’s Largest Storytime. We will be reading “Chicka, Chika, Boom, Boom” at noon in a fun, festive event that’s part of the Childhood Literacy Initiative.
Miss Joan is a cool cat.
The difference Miss Joan has made is evident by the love and joy her children and their parents feel for her. “Years ago, my mother-in-law was a teacher at Dayton and Joan had come to her school to promote the library. She started taking another grandchild there and told me how good Joan was. I started taking my oldest daughter, who is now 12, there and was so impressed by Joan. Her love of books and her energy kept the kids’ attention and mine too. She made that 45 minutes so entertaining for the kids. I have no doubt she loved what she did and it showed everytime. She always had a smile on her face. The Library is very lucky to have had her as well as the community,” parent and patron Karen Sower told CCPL.
Best of luck in retirement, Miss Joan, and don’t be a stranger!
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Our Five-Year Strategic Plan
The Library is proud to present our 2016 Five-Year Strategic plan, which is a roadmap that identifies the Library’s future goals. Read more