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Community Photo Show
May 19 Noon - 5 pm 
Photographers -- amateurs and pros and everyone in between -- are invited to include their work in the Library's upcoming Community Photo Show on May 19 from Noon to 5 pm. Submit your photos between now and May 17 by turning them in at the Reference Desk or uploading them as digital files at http://bit.ly/HA13QS. Have questions? Contact Melissa Wagner at 330-334-5761 or melissa.wagner@wadsworthlibrary.com.
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Wadsworth Public Library Foundation
Second Annual Bookin' 5K Run & Fun Walk May 19 
There's still time to register for the Library Foundation's 2nd Annual Bookin' 5K Race & Fun Walk! Registration is available online at http://bit.ly/GEjxgN or you may register on race day -- Saturday, May 19 -- at 8 am. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 male and female 5K finishers in the following age groups: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39,
40-49, 50 and over. For more information, contact Janet Griffing at 330-335-2604 or janet.griffing@wadsworthlibrary.com. |
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Friends of the Library
Spring Book Sale April 27-29 
Come for the bargains and help a good cause -- the Wadsworth Public Library!
SALE HOURS Friday, April 27: 10 am - 5 pm Saturday, April 28: Noon - 5 pm Sunday, April 29: 1 - 5 pm (Fill a bag for $3.00!) 10% discount on all book sale purchases for current, renewing, and new members on Friday and Saturday. FRIENDS' MEMBERSHIPS Individual: $7.00 Family: $15.00 |
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Second Annual Bookin' 5K Run & Fun Walk
The Wadsworth Public Library Foundation will hold its second annual Bookin' 5K Race and Fun Walk on Saturday, May 19. Race-day registration begins at 8 am, with the race starting at 9 am. Pre-registration and additional information is available from Premier Sports -- http://premierraces.com/viewevent.asp?eventID=437
Grab your running shoes and join us on May 19! |
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Wadsworth Library + statewide partners = 22 million titles
While the Wadsworth Public Library serves up an impressive array of reading, listening, and viewing materials for every appetite, sometimes there’s a particular title that’s just not available. That's when Search Ohio and OhioLINK come to the rescue.
Search Ohio is a group of 16 libraries that includes Wadsworth Library, plus Cuyahoga County Public Library -- one of the largest systems in the state -- Akron-Summit County Public Library, and Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. OhioLINK, which became part of the network late last year, combines the catalogs of 90 Ohio colleges and universities, plus the State Library of Ohio for a total of 12 million unique titles. Taken together, Wadsworth Library cardholders have access to over 22 million unique titles.
The Search Ohio and OhioLINK collections are easily reached through the Wadsworth Library’s online catalog. When searching for items in the local catalog, borrowers can click on a combined Search Ohio/OhioLINK logo on the upper right side of the search page to see results from other library catalogs. By logging in with a Wadsworth Library card number and PIN, borrowers can request items belonging to libraries anywhere from Akron to Zanesville. For further information about using Search Ohio or OhioLINK, stop at the Wadsworth Public Library reference desk or call 330-335-1294. |
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It's a Library LOLLAPALOOZA!
We've planned a weekend of fun and games on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4. Saturday’s “Library Lollapalooza” will feature games like indoor putt-putt golf and toss across, plus face painting, a tie-dye party, popcorn and cotton candy, and the incredible origami skills of Michael Roy and his Cirque du Papier. The library’s mascot, Ella the Elephant, will also make a special guest appearance.
On Sunday, March 4 at 3:30 pm, the library welcomes back the Zydeco band, Mo’ Mojo, for an afternoon of spicy Cajun tunes. The guys and gals of Mo’ Mojo say you’ll need your dancin’ shoes, ‘cause you won’t be able to stay in your seat! The Mardi Gras mood will be enhanced by the presence of Wadsworth’s own Johnny Schulze and his food truck, Zydeco Bistro. Look for the bright yellow truck parked in the library’s west parking lot.
For more information about Lollapalooza weekend at the Wadsworth Public Library, contact Melissa Wagner or Janet Griffing. |
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Wadsworth Library's free music download service
proves popular with users 
Freegal, the Wadsworth Public Library's free music download service from Library Ideas LLC, has been gaining in popularity since its inception in May, 2011, with Wadsworth Library cardholders downloading 2,509 MP3s through the end of December. Those titles are part of a growing collection of two million songs from 15,000 music labels made available through Library Idea's distribution agreement with IODA, a global online distribution and music licensing company owned by Sony Music Entertainment.
The Wadsworth Library's Freegal subscription has allowed it to increase the size and diversity of its collection of digital media at a reasonable cost. Library cardholders may download and keep up to three MP3 songs each week. Freegal, which works on both PCs and Macs, can be accessed by clicking here.
"We have been waiting a long time for a service like this that delivers great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use. We're pleased to see how popular Freegal is becoming with our customers, and we believe it will help the Library in marketing all its services to the community,” said Library Director C. Allen Nichols. Library Ideas anticipates that it will have a Freegal Mobile app for Apple and Android by the end of February. If you have any questions about using Freegal, stop at the Reference Desk or call 330-335-1294.
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More about the Wadsworth Library's levy
The February edition of In Good Company, the Wadsworth Library's monthly show on WCTV, is a presentation by Library Director C. Allen Nichols on the reasons for the Library's levy request on the March 6 ballot. In addition, Allen addresses a few frequently-asked questions and dispells some rumors about the Library. Click here to watch the video.
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iPads and iPods and Kindles, Oh My!
They're here!! Customers of the Wadsworth Public Library, particularly job seekers needing to become more technologically prepared for the workplace, can now explore the digital world using a wide assortment of devices including iPads, iPods, Kindles, Nooks, GPS units, digital cameras, digital video cameras, digital projectors, portable DVD players and more. Lending of the devices began January 30 to Wadsworth Library cardholders in good standing, age 18 and older. The digital devices may be borrowed for two weeks and may also be reserved. Borrowers must show some form of government ID, fill out a separate application for the devices, and sign an acknowledgement of liability.
The digital device collection was made possible by a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio.Stop at the Customer Service Desk to fill out an application and pick up your device of choice! |
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We're back on Google+
For those of you who use Google+, please note that an account corruption problem last week caused the Library's page to disappear. We are back and looking forward to having you add us to your circle! Click to visit our page.
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Library to have levy on March 2012 ballot
The Wadsworth Public Library Board of Trustees has voted to place a levy on the March 2012 ballot. The 1.25 mill levy, if approved by voters, will help to address the loss of state support and to meet the visions detailed in the Library's strategic plan, as determined in 2010 by a community planning committee. The cost of the levy to the owner of property with an appraised value of $100,000 is $39.38 a year or approximately a dime a day.
Since 2001, the Library has lost $401,362 in state monies; $275,735 of that loss occurred after 2007. For the two years prior to 2007, state support of public libraries was frozen. The reductions in state support represent a loss in funding of more than 30 percent. In response to that loss, the Library made more than a half-million dollars' worth of cuts which included a reduction in hours of operation, discontinuation of bookmobile service, and staff layoffs. In addition, the library created self-serve checkout stations and hired a collection agency to assist in the recovery of lost materials and fines.
The last time the Wadsworth Public Library asked voters for operating funds was in 2002.
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Wadsworth Library users now have access to 22 million titles!
While the Wadsworth Library serves up an impressive array of materials for every appetite, sometimes the title you want is simply not available locally. That's when SearchOhio and now OhioLINK come to the rescue. SearchOhio is a group of 16 libraries that includes Wadsworth Library, plus Cuyahoga County Public Library -- one of the largest systems in the state -- Akron-Summit County Public Library, and Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. OhioLINK, a new addition to the already-extensive network of public libraries, combines the catalogs of 90 Ohio colleges and universities, plus the State Library of Ohio for a total of 12 million unique titles. Taken together, SearchOhio and OhioLINK help provide Wadsworth Library cardholders with access to over 22 million unique titles.
To access the expanded collection, enter a search in the Wadsworth Library’s regular catalog. A link to the combined SearchOhio/OhioLINK catalog appears at the top right side of the search results page. Clicking on the link opens a dual page that shows the search results for both SearchOhio and OhioLINK side by side. Simply place your request using your library card number and PIN. You'll be notified when the items arrive at the Wadsworth Library.
For further information about SearchOhio or OhioLINK or for assistance in searching the catalogs and making requests, contact the Wadsworth Library’s Reference Desk at 330-335-1294 or reference@wadsworthlibrary.com.
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Library wins All-Star Facility award from Connect Ohio
The Wadsworth Public Library was named an All-Star Facility by Connect Ohio for its work providing computer training through Connect Ohio’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) program. The Library has trained more than 115 adults on the basics of computer and Internet use since it began offering ECO classes in January 2011. The All-Star Facility award is given to agencies in recognition of their success in meeting various “hallmarks of excellence” including the number of adults taking ECO training, the ECO program survey completion rate, creative promotional activities and community partnerships that assist in raising awareness and contributing to the local success of the program, and the level of engagement of facility coordinators in the ECO program.
Connect Ohio is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. ECO classes are offered regularly at Wadsworth Library. For more information and to reserve a seat, call the Library’s Technology Department at 330-335-2608.
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The Friends of the Library need YOU!
The Friends of the Library are seeking volunteers to work as clerks at Books & Baubles, the Friends' gift and used book shop located just inside the Library. A variety of shifts are available, Monday through Saturday, during regular Library hours. If you are interested, please call Friends' Liaison Janet Griffing at 330-335-2604.
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Free e-books for Kindle are finally here!
If you've been waiting for free e-books to be made available for your Kindle, the wait is over! An agreement has been reached with Amazon that now allows libraries around the country to make e-books available for Kindle owners. For Wadsworth Public Library customers, this means that when you search for e-books through the Ohio Ebook Project, you'll be able to specify the Kindle platform. Click here to start enjoying all the benefits of your Kindle e-reader, brought to you by the Wadsworth Library.
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This is the Wadsworth Library calling...
Beginning August 1, those of you who have been receiving mailed notices about items you request will be receiving an automated phone call instead. While the calls are considerably cheaper than first-class postage, email notices would cost the Library nothing to send. If you haven't already given us your email address, please give us a call at 330-334-5761 or share it with us the next time you visit the Library. Thank you!
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Free flash drives for ECO training students!
ECO computer class students get free flash drives at Wadsworth Public LibraryNew students signing up for the Every Citizen Online (ECO) broadband training classes at the Wadsworth Public Library will receive free 4GB flash drives. The incentive program will continue while supplies last. The ECO classes are geared toward first-time computer and broadband users and cover computer basics as well as an introduction to the Internet and discussion about how broadband can be helpful in daily life. The training is funded through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act matching grant administered by Connect Ohio. “This is an incredibly exciting program for Ohio. Currently, just 66 percent of Ohio households subscribe to broadband service, leaving more than 3 million Ohioans on the wrong side of the digital divide,” said Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz. “The Every Citizen Online program is an opportunity to close the gap between those who have computer technology at home and those who do not, preparing state residents without high-speed Internet for a technologically driven society.” Participants can inquire about the free flash drives and register for classes by contacting the Wadsworth Library at 330-335-2608.
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Announcing Freegal! Free music download service
A free music download service called Freegal has been added to the digital media offerings available from the Wadsworth Public Library. Freegal, a product from Library Ideas, offers access to songs from Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists. The service will allow the Library to increase the size and diversity of its collection by offering access to hundreds of thousands of songs in over 100 genres of music, representing more than 50 record labels. |
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Library Strategic Plan 2011-2013
The Wadsworth Public Library's 2011-2013 Strategic Plan is now available on our website. Approved at the December 13, 2010 meeting of the board of trustees, the Plan was the work of a committee comprised of community members who met last fall to reflect on the Library's future and how it will meet the needs of the residents of Wadsworth. Click here to view the Plan. If you have questions, please contact Library Director C. Allen Nichols at 330-335-1299 or allen@wadsworthlibrary.com
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A new look for a new year!
Beginning February 1, the Wadsworth Library's website is going to have a whole new look! Our goal was to create a portal that's clean, inviting, and easy to navigate. When the new site goes live, it will include a video tour to explain new features and help guide you to the tools you've used in the past. We'll leave this article open for comments so you can let us know if there are things you like, don't like, or can't find.
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Every Citizen Online Computer Classes at Wadsworth Library
Did you know that the Wadsworth Public Library is offering new computer classes? In a partnership with Connect Ohio, as a part of the Every Citizen Online program, the Library is offering computer and Internet classes in addition to our regular beginner and OpenOffice offerings. These beginning-level classes instruct in computer basics, Internet basics, and the many uses of the Internet. The classes are geared towards adults who want to get connected and increase their knowledge of computers and how to use the Internet for home, work, and personal use. Completing all three of the courses (Computer Basics, Internet Basics, and Using The Internet) will earn students a certificate of completion, a familiarity with computer and Internet usage, and possible discounts on broadband service from program sponsors.
To register for these classes, contact us at 330-335-2608, and we will be happy to sign you up. Our current schedule of classes is listed below, but additional classes will be offered throughout the coming months. |
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Friends of the Library Annual Membership Drive
The Friends of the Wadsworth Library are holding their annual membership drive February 1-15. Membership applications and an information table will be available in the front lobby when the Friends' gift shop, Books & Baubles, is open. Individual memberships are $7.00; family memberships are $15.00. Friends members in good standing get special entry to preview events prior to the Friends' bi-annual book sales.
Proceeds from memberships, book sales, and sales in the gift shop are used to support programs and events at the Library. The Friends are a major funder of the children's summer reading program and, in response to recent funding cuts, have contributed to the general operation of the Library. For more information about membership or volunteering with the Friends, contact Friends liaison Janet Griffing at 330-335-2604 or janet.griffing@wadsworthlibrary.com. |
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Did Santa bring you an ebook reader?
Was an ebook reader (Nook, Sony Reader, and the like) under your Christmas tree? Did you know that you can download and view thousands of titles for free through the Library's website? Watch the January episode of the Library's cable TV show, In Good Company, and learn more!
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Take us with you anywhere -- We're mobile!
We've designed a new mobile website optimized for viewing on your mobile phone or any web-enabled mobile device. The new site features Wadsworth Library tools you'll find most useful when you're on the go:
Access our mobile website at http://m.wadsworthlibrary.com. Your phone will redirect you to the appropriate-sized page. If it doesn't, choose the small screen for older, 128-pixel width phones or large screen for iPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pre, etc. If you have any questions, give our Technology Department a call at 330-335-2600. |
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Now you can text, too!
Have a quick question? Text us! The Library's Reference Desk can now accept brief questions sent to us from your mobile phone. Our text address is wplreftext@gmail.com.
What kinds of questions can I ask via texting? Simple, quick questions of 160 characters in length that can be answered in 160 characters. If your question requires a more detailed reply, please use Live Chat or call us at 330-335-1294. While there is no charge from the Library for text messaging, you may see a charge for incoming text messages at the standard rate applied by your cell phone carrier, depending on your plan or package. Texting and Live Chat are available during regular business hours. |
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Follow us on Twitter!
Friend us on Facebook! 
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Computer Class for Experienced Users – OpenOffice Impress
April 24th 5:30pm
May 15th 10:30am This class is for experienced users interested in learning how to create & edit presentations using a PowerPoint-style program called OpenOffice Impress. It will last 1½ hours with a 30-minute learning lab at the end. *Registration is required. Call (330) 335-1294 to register. |
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Job search resources @ the Library
If you've recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, the Wadsworth Library can be a great place to begin your search for a new job. In addition to the many books on writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and studying for civil service exams, we also provide free Internet access, plus Microsoft Word templates for resume preparation.
In addition, we've created Internet links to information about applying for unemployment benefits, plus links to area newspapers' classified ads and a variety of local and Ohio employment resources. Click here to visit our Employment Search page. |
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Adult Computer Classes for Beginners – Spring 2011
These classes are designed for beginners. Each session lasts approximately 2 hours, including a 30 minute learning lab at the end. Dates, times, and subjects covered are listed below.
Mousing Skills I Thursday, April 7, 10 am – 12 pm Mousing Skills II Thursday, April 14, 10 am – 12 pm Keyboarding Skills Thursday, May 5, 10 am – 12 pm Basic Computer Skills I Thursday, May 12, 10 am – 12 pm Basic Computers II Thursday, May 19, 10 am – 12 pm Basic Computers III Thursday, May 26, 10 am – 12 pm *Registration required. Call (330) 335-1294 to register. NOTE: One Thursday, April 28 there will be a hands-on, open learning lab from 10 am – 12 pm for those registered in the library's computer classes. This is an opportunity to practice, review, or ask questions about the class(es) you attended. No registration necessary. |
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Help us cut expenses...
Please consider providing your email address or cell phone number (for text messages) to receive the library account notices we typically distribute via snail mail. The notices we send are:
State law guarantees the privacy of the information you provide, so we promise that the information will only be used for library communications. To sign up for email and/or text messaging, click here. |
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