Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

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Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Location	Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio
Established	1853
Number of branches	41
Collection size	9,148,846
Population served	845,303
Budget	$48,307,419
Director	Kimber L. Fender
Website	http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH) is among the largest and busiest public library systems in the world, with its main location in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, and 41 regional and branch locations throughout Hamilton County. As of 2006, it is the ninth largest library in the United States, holding 9,148,846 volumes.^[1] The library ranked eighth in Hennen's American Public Library Ratings 2006.

1 Services
2 History
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Services

Among PLCH's collections are books, audiobooks, downloadable digital audio and e-books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs, sheet music, slides, microfilm, microfiche, and Braille. It also offers free Internet and Wi-Fi access, in addition to over 15,500 free programs each year for patrons of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. In 2005, its staff answered 1.7 million reference questions by phone, fax, e-mail, post, and in person.

The library's website provides access to the library catalog, HomeworkNow, the KnowItNow online chat reference service, nearly 150 commercial research databases, bestseller lists, staff reading recommendations, and other information resources.

Special needs services provided by PLCH include "talking books" and Braille to the visually impaired, blind, and physically handicapped in 33 Ohio counties; its outreach services include books-by-mail, foreign language materials and bilingual programs, and passport application; its literacy services include GED classes and GED practice testing.

[edit] History

PLCH traces its roots to a subscription library that began in 1802. On March 14, 1853, it became the Cincinnati Public Library.^[2] Since its founding, the library has occupied several locations, including its current location at Eighth Street and Vine Street.^[3]

For many years, the library used the Computer Information Network of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (CINCH) as a system-wide library catalog, which connected each branch through a large number of computer terminals. Users at home were permitted to access the database via TELNET. In 2005, this system was replaced with an integrated library system (ILS) purchased from library automation vendor Sirsi, now SirsiDynix.

In 2005, the library received the American Library Association's John Cotton Dana Public Relations Award.

Beginning in 2001, budget cuts from the State of Ohio drastically reduced funding for PLCH. In July 2002, the Board of Trustees voted to close branch locations in Deer Park, Elmwood Place, Greenhills and Mount Healthy. The board later backed off on the branch closing plan after a strong negative response from citizens in the affected neighborhoods.^[4]

In 2005, a state budget plan that cut spending on libraries a further five percent was passed in the Ohio House of Representatives, after being proposed by Ohio governor Bob Taft. The budget prompted the library to distribute flyers and hold rallies in Downtown Cincinnati, calling on the state to repeal the proposed cuts.^[5] The cuts resulted in a periodic hiring freeze, reductions in hours, branch and department closings, and the layoff of approximately forty librarians. Librarians responded by voting to join the the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199 in 2006.^[6]

After nine months of contentious negotiations over a union contract, the parties (SEIU and the library administration) resorted to a hearing in front of a third-party neutral negotiator, who drew up a labor contract. Librarians voted 45–1 to approve the contract. The library's Board of Trustees subsequently voted the contract down by a 7–0 vote, citing concerns over fair share proposals built into the contract. At the time of this writing, the SEIU has filed unfair labor practices complaints with Ohio's State Employment Relations Board.

In 2007, the library began implementing a dramatic reorganization plan that will lead to the creation of a Technology Center, Teen Center, a Popular Library, and a Local History and Genealogy Department. The plan also calls for the disbanding of subject departments in Art & Music, Literature & Languages, History and Genealogy, Rare Books and Special Collections, Science & Technology, Government and Business, Education & Religion, Fiction & Young Adults, and Films and Recordings. The latter two departments will comprise the new Popular Library. The History and Genealogy Department will be merged with Rare Books and Special Collections to create the aforementioned Local History and Genealogy department. The other subject departments will comprise the Information and Reference department. Approximately 24 professional positions (those holding a master's degree in Library and Information Science) are slated for elimination through attrition and reassignment. ^[7]^[8]