Reuben Mcmillan Free Library Association

Programs: Summer reading program: the 2014 summer reading program focused in on encouraging literacy and learning during the summer months to prevent the "summer slide" of skills, particularly reading, that can occur in school age children who aren't in a formal learning environment during those months. In addition to the reading component, there are public programs throughout the summer. Programs are free to the public, and many are presented by subject area experts or entertainers from outside of our system. Program attendance increased in 2014, with 20,117 people in attendance at our various programs. Reading is awarded with incentives to keep up motivation, including the chance for children to have breakfast with a popular, nationally recognized author. Summer reading is open to ages 0 - adult, to encourage literacy and learning at every stage of life. For 2014, 7,010 people were registered, and read a total of 68,787 hours. One of the incentives for children and teens who read 10 and 20 hours was a new book that they get to keep to add to their home library. The library gave away 2,352 new books to children and teens in 2014.

the library provides quality, comprehensive public library service to the residents of mahoning county through our 15 locations. Mahoning county has 233,869 residents and 98,606 are registered borrowers. For many residents, the public library is their only source of computers, internet, and/or wi-fi. The library provides a large number of learning programs, homework support, business development and workforce support, and reference work in our buildings and through our staff. In addition, the library provides free learning courses, homework tutoring and job skill support online through our website. We also have a large collection of books, music, movies and other materials for circulation both in print and online available to our cardholders. Our traveling outreach team provides "pop-up" library service and collections off-site to various sectors of the community including schools. Our special delivery provides service to the homebound and elderly.

during 2014 the library continued its focus on programming with 4,369 programs offered throughout the system for all ages with 100,360 attendees. Our programs are learning based and focus on a variety of subjects and age ranges. Early literacy "baby brilliant" programs focus on teaching reading skills to our youngest customers and their caregivers. School age children can choose from a range of options, from lego building and stem programs to writing and drawing workshops. Teens have major author visits and book release parties, coding and computer programs, and a variety of other options for after school and weekends. Adult programming appeals to a wide variety of interests: cook book or history book clubs, arts and crafts, computer classes and genealogy workshops are just a few of the categories.