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Toledo Library Encourages Students to Help the Community
through Service Programs
The Toledo Lucas County
Public Library (TLCPL) is proud to host programs designed to
make a difference in Toledo and Lucas County. With service
programs like Make a Difference, kids in the community are
given the space and materials to create items to help those
in need.
According to Nancy Eames,
Youth Services Coordinator, "We're having more and more
branches that are doing creative, hands-on activities using
our maker equipment to make things for others. We have a
create for the community program that attracts a lot of
teens and adults. They've done a variety of things like
making little cards using the Cricut. They're working
together, it's hands-on, it's social."
With the help of TLCPL's
caring librarians, area youth have been involved in a lot of
service projects. They're engaging children, tweens and
teens in the area to create special gifts for animals,
children, customers, the homebound, Alzheimer’s patients,
veterans and those that are less fortunate. The librarians
and area youth are making an impact in the lives of others.
After all, everyone deserves a little kindness. And best of
all, customers find these programs to be extremely
worthwhile and have commented that it's a rewarding
experience.
"We made kennel blankets for
the Humane Society, dog treats for Lucas County Canine,
thinking of you cards for Toledo Children’s Hospital, #KindnessMatters
bookmarks which we hid throughout the branch, valentines for
the home-bound who receive deliveries from Mobile Services,
crocheted/knitted squares for Warming Up America and most
recently, we partnered with Warm Hearts, a project run by a
Coy Elementary Student, to create fleece blankets for the
poor. We’ve also tried utilizing volunteers as tutors and
reading buddies during summer reading," said Kathryn
McGowan, Teen Services Librarian at Oregon Branch.
Through providing these
programs to teens, the librarians at TLCPL have also been
positively impacted. Adrienne Amborski, Librarian at the
Waterville Branch Library said, "Teens are very willing to
help others in need! The creativity they use in making
projects to better the community and world at large have
been inspirational to me as an adult. Community Engagement
has become a national focus in teen services. Myself and
other teen librarians in TLCPL have been fortunate to
harness the goodwill and energy of teens in the TLCPL system
to help others and foster community wellness." |
