What an incredible evening with Matt Dinniman at the Downtown Main Library! 👑 🍩
This author talk was in partnership with @josephbethcincy , with a portion of ticket sales benefiting @supportchpl .
Happy 513 Day! Here's five fun facts you may not know about CHPL:
🎭 The Vine Street Congregation Church, original built in 1846 as a Presbyterian Church, served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The building reopened as the New Empress Theatre in 1909 (renamed to Gayety theatre in 1937). The building was razed in the 1980s for a Library expansion.
🌭 In 2022, the Main Library hosted a 100th anniversary celebration of the birthplace of Cincinnati chili. The first chili parlor, Empress Chili, opened in 1922 on the current site of the Main Library's South Building. It's name was drawn from its lease in the New Empress Theatre.
🎨 In the early 1950s, Main Library architect Woodie Garber commissioned artist Harry Bertoia to design two sculptures for the Library's rooftop terrace. One of the sculptures, consisting of metal rods and plates in a screen-like composition, was removed for a renovation in the 1980s, but was reinstalled in 2019.
🐻❄️ From 2016-2019, the Main Library was home to Beary White. The polar bear was on loan while the Cincinnati Museum Center completed a renovation.
🎥 "The Public," the 2018 film directed by Emilio Estevez, was filmed in 2017 at the Main Library.
Booked for the Evening returns to the Main Library on June 25! 🎉
@supportchpl is hosting Booked for the Evening: Black, White, and READ — an after-hours, adults-only fundraiser that reimagines the Library as an immersive night out inspired by the world of periodicals and classic print culture. Purchase tickets today with link in bio.
Funds raised directly supports the programs, resources, and services that make CHPL a vital part of our community.
“I have found CHPL to be a home away from home."
Richard Spottswood Stenger works just a short walk from the Downtown Main Library, and uses meeting rooms and the MakerSpace for professional and personal needs. Hear more of his story with link in bio.
It's Staff Pick Saturday! This week's pick comes from Seth, Library Customer Adviser at the Walnut Hills Branch. One of Seth's favorite books is "Laziness Does Not Exist" by Devon Price. "It's one of my favorites because I think it teaches us how to properly relax and take life more easy."
Check out the book today with link in bio.
Summer Reading begins May 30! Kids and teens are invited to Camp Read to become Library Rangers through reading, discovery, and summer fun. Learn more with link in bio.
It's Staff Pick Saturday! This week's pick comes from Caroline, South Building Supervisor at the Downtown Main Library. One of Caroline's favorite books is "Fangirl Down" by Tessa Bailey. "It's a really good romance book and I love it."
Check out the book today with link in bio.
