2023 Annual Report
See how the Library is connecting our customers through expanding our welcoming spaces and increasing access to new, innovative services and resources.
From the Library Director
2023 Year in Review
"In 2023, the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library continued to offer welcoming spaces where community members can meet, read, work, learn, create, and connect at our 41 locations. From our cozy fireplaces to our spacious meeting rooms, the public library is a gathering space for all."
Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director Paula Brehm-Heeger
Connecting to Useful Resources
Expanding Access to Government Resources
After moving back home to Cincinnati, Frank came to the Groesbeck Branch Library to look for housing. Frank was living out of his truck, so Library staff recommended connecting to Hamilton County’s 513 Relief Bus, which partners with CHPL. After finding the bus’s schedule on the Library’s public computer with free WiFi, Frank located a nearby shelter and connections to additional housing support.
Frank is one of more than 1,000 people who access vital government resources through the Library each month. CHPL connects people to childcare, food assistance, employment support, social security benefits, passport, renewals, and so much more.
Encouraging Limitless Learning
Building Early Literacy at Storytime
Four-year-old Isa and her grandmother, Irene, have been going to storytime at the Wyoming Branch Library for more than a year. At each free, weekly storytime, Isa makes friends, learns new words, and is taught new concepts – now, she can count to 100!
About 40% of Ohio’s third graders cannot read proficiently. CHPL’s storytimes are developed to close this gap by incorporating the concepts of the Science of Reading. Led by a Youth Librarian, storytimes provide exposure to concepts, ideas, social skills, and literacy tools critical for kids to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Providing Reliable Information
The Library's 42nd Branch: CHPL.org
CHPL.org is the most convenient way to access everything the Library has to offer anytime, anywhere. In 2023 alone, library cardholders chose from millions of digital materials like eBooks, audiobooks, music and movies, more than 150 research databases, virtual events to attend from their living room, and more – all free with a library card.
Help is always open, just a chat window away. CHPL’s Ask a Librarian service can help you find materials, access resources, or answer any of your questions.
Fostering a Healthy Culture
Fostering Learners
In fall, we celebrated what makes Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library so special: the community! All 41 library locations hosted Customer Appreciation Days to connect with CHPL’s customers and highlight everything the Library has to offer.
The celebration continues every day, with a commitment to serve minds of all kinds during their 3.6 million visits to CHPL each year.
Creating Welcoming Spaces
Improving the Community's Living Room
Hamilton County residents have told us the Library is their community living room, a place to connect with others, access resources, and have fun.
CHPL’s Facility Master Plan outlines improvements to our 41 library locations with input from more than 3,000 community members.
In year five of our Facility Master Plan implementation, we continued investing in inclusive and accessible spaces so the Library can truly be welcoming to all.
Read the Annual Report
This year the Library helped community members find books and materials, build workforce development and technology skills, support small businesses and entrepreneurs, and provide life-long learning opportunities for everyone.
Read the entire report to explore how the Library empowered young Ohioans to build early literacy skills, succeed in school, and prepare for college, careers, and life.
Previous Annual Reports
