As we head into a New Year, we thought we’d share some fun highlights from 2019:
1. Auto-Renewal was rolled out for all patrons which helped increase circulation for the library. Auto-renewal resulted in greater convenience and fewer fines.
2. We circulated over 890,000 materials (includes items customers can checkout, download or stream).
3. Over 250,000 visitors walked through our doors.
4. Adult participation in Summer Reading nearly doubled thanks to a collaborative effort from all our departments to create a uniform program for the whole library.
5. The library welcomed 2,780 new cardholders in 2019.
Thank you to all of our patrons who continue to support the library by checking out materials and participating in programs. We are looking forward to another year of serving our community!
Kim Bell & Missy Littell – Bullet Journaling is Your New Obsession!
It’s creative, it’s organized, it’s all about you.
We all have our “to do” lists – and shopping lists – and planning lists…! What if we could put them all in one place – and have a little fun with it? There is a way! Kim Bell and Missy Littell from the Cuyahoga Falls Library sat down with Live On Lakeside to share ways to started with your bullet journal and how the library MakerSpace can help.
We are excited about this new resource for Ohio families! DayByDayOH.org is a perpetual calendar for young children and their families, featuring a song, a video, activities, and book recommendations for every day of the year.
Day By Day Ohio, a service of the State Library of Ohio in collaboration with Ohio Ready to Read, also includes literacy and health information and an Ohio public library locator map.
The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), a non-profit visual arts organization is allocating the Cuyahoga Falls Library with $4,000 to bolster children’s arts programs. The support is made possible through a generous Pegs Foundation grant to CVAC.
The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center advocates for a greater understanding of the visual arts through the promotion of art education, exhibition and community engagement. Danielle Dieterich, Executive Director, approached the library with a proposal to help expand arts programming to a younger audience.
“We offer a wide variety of programming for students through adult, so the CVAC was looking to increase our offerings for preschool and school-age children. The library was eager to help us achieve this goal through our partnership,” Dieterich commented.
The library is currently planning up to six new or enhanced art programs through the support of the CVAC. In November and December, the department will offer special holiday storytimes with a themed art project. In the winter, monthly art programming for preschool through first grade will be held during evenings and weekends so children in school can attend. The funding will extend through the fall of 2020 with “Art in Nature,” “Based on the Book,” and “Art for Dramatic Play” programs.
“We are thrilled to be the recipient of this support from CVAC as our community is hungry for arts programming,” said Beth Sucharzewski, Children’s Department Manager. “This new relationship is a wonderful opportunity to increase our offerings.”
“Our hope is this partnership with CVAC will continue to foster interest in arts and culture within Cuyahoga Falls,” commented Valerie Kocin, Director.
To learn more about upcoming children’s programming visit www.cuyahogafallslibrary.org/calendar. To learn more about the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center workshops, exhibitions, classes and more visit www.cvart.org/.
On Saturday, November 23 from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., the University of Akron’s NASA Robotics team will return to the Cuyahoga Falls Library for a “bug bot” class.
Students in grades five through eight are invited to join the UA Robotics Team as they present a hands on activity creating a simple circuit. The circuit composed of a battery, switch and motor will be glued to a piece of Styrofoam that the students can decorate.
“Library staff, parents and students alike are thrilled that the University of Akron’s NASA Robotics Team was able to partner with us again,” says Missy Littell, who organized the program and also leads the library’s tech team. “This type of event is well-received in our community as students have a strong desire to learn the technology of our future in robotics, coding, augmented reality, 3D printing and the maker movement. We strive to be a continued resource for STEM growth and educational development in technology.”
Cuyahoga Falls Library to Present Authors at the Falls in October
On Saturday, October 12, the Cuyahoga Falls Library will host an all-day event featuring writing programs and author presentations.
Writers, book lovers and literacy fans can spend the day at the Cuyahoga Falls Library for a series of three programs. The day will kick-off at 9:30 a.m. with Susan Behon sharing her experience with the pros and cons of both sides of the publishing business – self-publishing vs. traditional publishing house. Behon will discuss her experience with finally “making it” as a writer when obtaining her first publishing contract and how her views changed concerning what constitutes success in the world of writing. For lunch, participants can pack or plan to stroll down Front Street for plenty of great dining options.
In the afternoon, participants will learn how to make paper in a one hour papermaking with pulp painting and sponge pressing class presented by Morgan Art of Papermaking, Conservatory and Educational Foundation.
Authors at the Falls will conclude with author Mindy McGinnis, an Edgar-award winning novelist whose books span many genres. McGinnis will speak about her writing, answer audience questions, and sign books for sale.
“We are excited to offer our second installment of Authors at the Falls event this October,” says Jennifer Reynard who leads adult programming at the Cuyahoga Falls Library. “We are looking forward to offering a unique day of programming around the craft of writing.”
For more information on Authors at the Falls, visit www.cuyahogafallslibrary.org/calendar. Registration is requested and participants are welcome to attend as many sessions as they wish.
On October 2, 2019, Mayor Don Walters presented the Cuyahoga Falls Library a $10,383 Energy Efficiency Rebate for the library’s recent major overhaul of LED lighting. Board President Mike Dunton and Library Director Valerie Kocin accepted the rebate on behalf of the library.
Board President Mike Dunton spearheaded the cost-savings project. “The benefits of the LED retrofit will have a noticeable impact on the library’s operating budget for years to come,” said Mike Dunton.
The 6 week project occurred this past summer when all 1,694 lights & fixtures at the library were replaced. As an all-electric building, the library estimates a cost savings of over $17,500 annually with an anticipated 5 year payback on the project.
The LED retrofit was also important to the library for improved sustainability. Replacing traditional light fixtures with LED provides a 60-70% increase in energy efficiency and ensures fixtures are built with safe materials that do not require special handling during the product’s lifespan.
“We are continually seeking ways to be more fiscally responsible and good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The completion of this project and the savings it will provide for the library will have a positive impact for taxpayers and the environment.” said Valerie Kocin, Director.
The Cuyahoga Falls Library is grateful to patrons for their patience as these updates were completed and appreciates the support from the City of Cuyahoga Falls to make this rebate project possible.
To learn more about the Cuyahoga Falls Library visit www.cuyahogafallslibrary.org. Information on the Cuyahoga Falls Energy Efficiency programs can be found at www.cityofcf.com/departments/electric.
Cuyahoga Falls Library Hosts MANHATTAN SHORT Screening
Filmgoers in Cuyahoga Falls will unite with audiences in over 400 cities spanning six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world when the 22nd Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival screens at the Cuyahoga Falls Library on 9/28/2019 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM, 10/2/2019 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM and 10/6/2019 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
MANHATTAN SHORT is the only event of its kind. The Final Ten screen simultaneously across the world during a one-week period, with the Best Film and Best Actor awards determined by ballots cast by the audiences in each participating venue. By virtue of their selection by MANHATTAN SHORT, each short film is automatically Oscar-qualified.
MANHATTAN SHORT continues to be a premier showcase for female directors with five of the Final Ten films directed by women, including one from Iran. This year’s Final Ten represent an extraordinary range of film genres that includes intimate dramas, spine-tingling suspense, and hilarious comedies, as well as genre surprises like a pair of science fiction films and one that focuses on tennis. “A narrative short film on sports is as rare as a centaur sighting,” notes Pia Andell, director of The Match.
All Final Ten short films become Oscar-qualified, meaning they will be automatically eligible for an Academy Award nomination by screening for a week at the Los Feliz 3 Cinemas in the county of Los Angeles in Hollywood from Sept 20 to Sept 26.
You Be the Judge! Which of these Final Ten short films is the best? That’s up to a worldwide audience to decide. Cinema-goers across the United States and around the globe will become instant film critics as they are handed a ballot upon entry that allows them to vote for the Best Film and Best Actor. MANHATTAN SHORT is the ultimate audience award that salutes the creative talents of both directors behind the camera and actors in front of it. Votes will be sent through to MANHATTAN SHORT HQ with the winner announced at ManhattanShort.com on Monday Oct 7, at 10AM EST.
