• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!We Are Presidential!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Public Library

By MarionMade! on December 9, 2019

Advocates for Ohio libraries use the phrase “Ohio Libraries = Strong Communities.”  That is what the Marion Public Library brings to Marion County. Each day the Marion Public Library hosts a variety of programs and events for the public to attend – some days with multiple options.  It is the Library’s hope that these programs can build “connections” in our community, to help people throughout their lives and through all kinds of experiences.  

The Library starts young with multiple programs to help children on their path of literacy.  One program is the My First Library Card.  This special card allows all Marion County children under 6 to check out materials from the Kids Area without late fees, building that early love of reading.  In 2018, over 300 children received this card with numbers climbing in 2019.  

That program, along with Music Time and multiple age levels of Storytime, helps to get young children off to a good start as life-long readers.  More of a challenge might be keeping them as readers and involved in the library as tweens and teenagers.  That is why there are two new programs for those age groups- Fellowship of the Geeks and Spine Crackers.  Spine Crackers is a book club just for tweens, to talk about their favorite books and discover new books and authors.   Fellowship of the Geeks encourages teens/tweens to socialize and talk about things like Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, video games and super heroes, as well as participate in break off book discussions and activities. 

Adults are not left behind at the Marion Public Library. The wealth of materials for checkout at the library is astounding.  Materials available for all ages to check out were 373,493 pieces in 2018 and almost 34,000 of those items were new. With a library card, patrons also have free access to lynda.com, which has more than 12,000 online courses, including instruction on computer software and business topics. The video courses are taught by industry experts and are designed for any skill level.  

Not all help is online.  The Library assists patrons with research, using eBooks and computer programs, job searching and resume writing, through their Book-a-Librarian program.  These are 30- 60 minute sessions that can be scheduled with a local librarian.

Beyond the books discussions that are offered at the library, the Marion Public Library offers fiction and non-fiction book discussion kits.  These kits include several copies of a book title that can be checked for book clubs’ use.  

New to the Marion Public Library this year is the Adult Lifelong Learning (all) program. These classes cover a variety of topics for individuals 18 years old or older.   They are short-term, non-credit lessons offered during the fall and spring months that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and personal growth and development.

For the senior population that are no longer capable to come to the library, the Library offers home bound services.  The Library provides this service free of charge to adults living in Marion County who have difficulty visiting the library or who live in a retirement or nursing home.

It is no wonder why Gary Branson, the Executive Director of the Library, says, “The best card in your wallet or on your keychain is your library card, giving you access to the world!” This is a small sample of the programs available in Marion.  

Libraries are no longer simply storage facilities for books.  But shifting the public’s perception of what libraries can be is a long process—with much more yet to be accomplished.  The goal is to show the importance of evolving library services to the community, all while maintaining a focus on literacy and lifelong learning.  

Marion can be proud of their innovative and ever-changing library.  To find out more about the programs mentioned and others, visit their website at www.marionlibrary.org or better yet visit the Marion Public Library at 445 East Church or any of its branches in LaRue, Prospect and Caledonia. 

#MarionMade #WeAreMarionPublicLibrary

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Pottery Business Focused on Function

    Not all “MarionMade!” people were born and raised here; many are transplants who have put down roots and are making an impact. Some live here, others work, play, volunteer, worship, and/or learn in Marion. Meet Louise Chell, owner of Yellow Creek Pottery, who grew up in the Akron area.  “There was a Yellow Creek that […]Read More »
  • MAWAC

    Marion Area Workforce Acceleration Collaborative MAWAC is a new and innovative concept for many people in Marion County. MAWAC is the collaborative vehicle to discuss integrated opportunities for education and industry to help advance workforce preparedness and economic development in the Marion area. It was created because of the Ohio law – Ohio Revised Code […]Read More »
  • Theresa Lubke Serving YMCA Communities Over 30 years

    Theresa Lubke began her career with the YMCA over 30 years ago. She will be retiring on June 30 after serving as the Marion Family YMCA executive director for the past 13 years. She teaches national YMCA facility training courses. Lubke also was a member of the YMCA national planning advisory council and represented the […]Read More »
  • Cummins Facility Services: 50 Years of Service Excellence

    For 50 years, Cummins Facility Services (CFS) has been part of the Marion Community. Founded in 1972 by local residents Ron and Myra Cummins at their kitchen table, CFS started by providing janitorial services and floor care to local businesses. Ron took great pride in making old surfaces look new again. Myra worked hard on […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2023 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image