The Union Township Branch of the Clermont County Public Library now offers bi-lingual services to its patrons through Service in Any Language and has fun events planned this fall!

It’s funded in part through an Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio. CCPL received $16,642 to incorporate a second language into the already existing library system. Service in Any Language will help the Spanish-speaking community access resource tools and library materials. Non-Spanish speaking library patrons can familiarize themselves with another culture. The grant has enabled CCPL to purchase Spanish-language books, materials, and computer software for both children and adults.

The Spanish collection at the Union Township Branch currently consists of children’s books, audiotapes, and CD’s. More children’s books, adult fiction, and non-fiction books are coming soon.

Lisa Salyers, library branch manager, says, “Both English and Spanish speaking patrons love the new resources, especially the children’s books. We have many great titles!”

Over the summer, the branch hosted a successful Spanish storytime program for children. Salyers says, “The children really enjoyed the storytime, their parents thought it was a wonderful service.”

More events are being planned for the library’s Spanish-speaking patrons. Join the Clermont County Public Library for a cup of coffee at a Bilingual Coffee Hour. Bring a passion for great conversation in both English and Spanish, delicious coffee will be provided! Spanish-speakers will learn about the library but the knowledge goes beyond books. Attendees will help these patrons with questions regarding transportation, school districts, and more. Coffee Hours will be held at 7 pm the first Thursday each month at the Union Township Branch. Everyone is invited to attend.

Enjoy the sounds of the local five man Cuban musical group, Zumba, on Tuesday, September 14 at 7 p.m., at the Union Township Branch. The eclectic, live music of Zumba will surely make everyone want to dance!

The Clermont County Public Library, which consists of ten branches, is preparing for the future through the Service in Any Language project. According to the 2000 Census, Clermont County has a population of over 178,000. The county is becoming more ethnically diverse with rapid growth rates among Hispanic, African-American and Asian cultures. A recent independent study estimates the potential growth of these three minority groups to be 300-400% by the year 2025.

For more information, contact the Union Township Branch Library, 4462 Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road, at (513) 528-1744.