“My goal is just to see more kids, and for those kids to know all that we have to offer,” Carrie Leib, Ohio County Public Library’s Youth Services Specialist. OCPL’s Head of Youth Services Sarah Cribbs adds, “I want to build our relationship with schools and build community relations while promoting early literacy.”
There is no one better to take on these tasks than Cribbs and Leib. Both women hold degrees in education and have a passion for community growth and literature. Cribbs and Leib began their new roles in early 2024, and in just a brief amount of time, they’ve created programs and opportunities for Ohio County students to experience all that OCPL has to offer.
New, updated programming includes a variety of offerings at the library. Morning activities for toddlers take place M-F beginning at 10:30. These programs offer Mother Goose stories, Toddler Tuesdays, Music and Movement, Explore and Play, and Preschool Storytime. Every Thursday evening, additional evening story times are held at 6:00 p.m. “These new programs have been so successful in attendance that we actually needed a larger space during last week’s Music and Movement program,” states Cribbs.
A huge focus for this duo is to expand the programs into the local school system. Leib has taken on the role of offering her services to Ohio County Schools students. “In the last month, I’ve visited Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and 6th graders at various OCS schools,” states Leib.
When Leib visits, each grade level has a different literacy based experience. Each visit takes approximately one hour. The younger grade levels focus on story time, dance and movement, and puppetry. The older grade levels utilize reading together, complete library trivia and explain the library’s various benefits as well as what having an online library card can mean for students (hello free books, movies and music)!
PK students also have the ability to take field trips to explore the local library in action. “Visiting the library and participating in these programs helps promote routines for young children and gives them an idea of the school atmosphere,” states Leib.
In addition to pushing into various Ohio County Schools, Leib and Cribbs are also overseeing a new young adult program. Scheduled to meet the 1st Thursday of the month, local middle school and high school students are meeting for a brand new book club. Within just two week’s time, the program already has 32 students registered. Students who sign up will receive a free copy of that month’s book and partake in meaningful, guided discussion.
The new programs at OCPL will also be offering a variety of themed gatherings geared towards teens the third Thursday of the month. The first one is scheduled for March 21st, and is a Taylor Swift theme. “That might be more for me than anyone else,” laughs Leib. With more ideas to follow, such as murder mystery, and even a crochet hour, there are options that appeal to many.
“We also have the 15th Annual Awesome Author contest upcoming,” Leib adds. Open to 3rd and 4th graders, students have the month of March to write a creative story. All works will be judged by OCPL staff culminating in an award ceremony on May 1st.
We are grateful for the multitude of options available at OCPL for our students, and we are thrilled to grow our relationship with our local community!
#OneCounty #OhioCounty