Libraries & Mental Health

Have you seen The Public, a movie about homelessness, set in Cincinnati, Ohio? 

Today some urban libraries are hiring social workers to address the needs of homelessness and  mental illness.  Libraries are public institutions that are open to all.  Library staff are serving on the front line, even as many other institutions have closed their doors.  Perhaps community-based health services or partnerships with organizations willing to help would lighten the load for many?

Sometimes serving the public takes a toll on librarians.  Here is one librarian's reflections on her experience as compared with the movie.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

In the UK, Save our Libraries Day

February 5, 2011 is Save our Libraries Day in the United Kingdom, which seeks to gain support from across the globe for public library services in the UK, which are in danger of being cut. To see the actions being taken in support of public libraries, check out http://www.cilip.org.uk/savelibraries. You may also want to check out the work of Phil Bradley, who asked the question, "what if the #savelibraries campaign had taken place between 1914-18?" The answer comes in his use of old wartime posters, adapted to show support for saving the libraries.

Three New OhioLINK Libraries

Please join us in welcoming OhioLINK's newest member institutions: Ohio Christian University (located in Circleville), Saint Mary Seminary & Graduate School of Theology (located in Wickliffe) and the University of Northwestern Ohio (located in Lima). Records from St. Mary Seminary and the University of Northwestern Ohio were recently loaded into the OhioLINK Library Catalog. Ohio Christian University's records will be loaded soon. The three new libraries will have PCIRC training in July and should be live and able to place and receive requests in August.

These newest additions bring the total number of OhioLINK member institutions to 90, including 16 public/research universities, 23 community/technical colleges, 50 private colleges and the State Library of Ohio.

(from Candi Clevenger at OhioLINK)