Check out the newest additions to our DVDs and CDs!
Take a look at the new titles we’ve been adding to our collection! New Entertainment DVDs New Audio Books
Please note: Due to a scheduling conflict for June only, the PLSJ Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, June 8 at 4 p.m. at the Main Library.
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County meets the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. at the Main Library at 407 South Fourth Street, Steubenville.
PLSJ Board of Trustees
Paul Brandt
Lisa Foster, President
Gary Hallock, Vice President
Virginia Mascio
Maddalena Repella, Secretary
Annie Silverthorn
Lorie Sullivan
PLSJ has a new phone carrier. As a result, AT&T has issued new phone and fax numbers for four of our library branches The new contact numbers will be effective April 1.
Contact numbers for the Main Library, Schiappa Branch, and Toronto Branch will remain the same.
We appreciate your patience.
Phone and fax numbers for library branches:
Adena Branch
Phone: 740.320.0009
Fax: 740.983.7437
Fax: 740.983.7437
Brilliant Branch
Phone: 740.314.4309
Fax: 740.929.6177
Fax: 740.929.6177
Dillonvale-Mt.Pleasant Branch
Phone: 740.314.4310
Fax: 740.983.7490
Fax: 740.983.7490
Tiltonsville Branch
Phone: 740.314.4280
Fax: 740.314.4239
Fax: 740.314.4239
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Community Partners
United Way of Jefferson County
Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County
Buckeye Local
Edison Local
Em Media
Help Me Grow
Indian Creek
JC Educational Service Center
Trinity Health Systems
The UPS Store
WIC
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
FREE Books Mailed To Your Children
We are community strong. A collaborative effort has been made for Jefferson County’s children to receive free books at home, as part of the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. PLSJ and several other area agencies, schools, and businesses are committed too.
The program is an extension of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. One book a month is mailed to families of children from birth to five years of age. Each child who is registered will receive a book. So if a family with three children registers each child, then all three will receive a new book each month addressed and mailed to them personally. The cost is $25 per child. Governor Mike DeWine and his wife established state-match funding through 2021. Gulfport Energy Corporation is committed to funding for three years to Jefferson County residents.
A child who can’t read well is four times more likely to drop out of high school before graduation. Ohio’s Future at Work found that in the state of Ohio, 24% of adults do not have a high school diploma. Developing literacy begins at birth. Through the Ohio Governor’s partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Governor is working to send every child in Ohio from birth to age five a new book each month. Research has shown that a child with 25 books in their home complete an average of two additional years of schooling compared to their peers without books in their home.
United Way of Jefferson County is administering the program. Families can register their children at all library branches, partnering agencies, or the United Way website, www.unitedway-jc.org
Watch the video here
Click & Collect is a new feature on the SEO Libraries app to safely and conveniently pick up hold items from any PLSJ location.
How It Works
1. Download the SEO Libraries app then place a hold on a library book or other physical materials and verify your hold in “My Account.” You will be notified when the hold items are available.
2. Once the hold items are ready choose “Click & Collect.”
3. Enter the information to help staff identify you when items are ready and select “I’m on My Way.”
4. Tap “I’m Here’ when you arrive in the library parking lot.
5. When library staff deliver hold items to your vehicle, hit “Done” to complete the transaction.
If you don’t use mobile apps, no worries. Curbside service is available by calling your PLSJ branch too.
ALL PLSJ BRANCH LOCATIONS CURRENTLY HAVE NON-PROCTORED TESTS.
Non-proctored COVID-19 antigen rapid, at-home tests are available at all library branches while supplies last. You may pick up a test by visiting the branch and requesting one at the checkout desk.
They’re free to the public and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Each test comes with instructions. Depending on which rapid test box you receive, an iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test or an Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test, links are provided for you to watch for instruction.
PLSJ receives a limited supply from the Ohio Department of Health.
Click HERE to watch how the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 home test works.
Click HERE to watch how the iHealth COVID-19 home test works.
Click HERE to watch how the Flowflex COVID-19 home test works.
Main Library, 740.282.9782 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
Adena Branch, 740.546.3782 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
Brilliant Branch, 740.598.4028 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
Dillonvale-Mt. Pleasant Branch, 740.769.2090 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
Schiappa Branch, 740.264.6166 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
Tiltonsville Branch, 740.859.5163 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
Toronto Branch, 740.537.1262 NON-PROCTORED TESTS AVAILABLE
The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County is connecting area residents to affordable computers and Internet service with PCs for People, an organization that helps lower-income individuals and families.
PCs for People and Mobile Beacon formed a partnership, Bridging the Gap, that enables libraries to help bring digital inclusion to their communities. PCs for People offers affordable, high-quality refurbished computers and Mobile Beacon has unlimited, high-speed Internet for as low as $15 a month.
“PLSJ is excited to be partnering with PCs for People and their Bridging the Gap program. If the past year has taught us one thing, it’s that technology is more important than ever. Anything the library can do to help get these resources into the hands of our patrons easily and affordably is a worthwhile endeavor for us,” said Library Director Katie Hildman.
The library will facilitate computer and Internet purchases for eligible individuals. Computer products purchased will be shipped directly to the buyer’s home. PCs for People will provide ongoing support and manage device troubleshooting.
A photo ID and proof of eligibility are needed. A credit card is needed for payment. Contact your library branch for more information.
Bring a document under 6 months old (unless it’s an
annual tax document, then from the most recent tax year) with your name on it (must match name on photo ID).
Acceptable documents include:
• A SNAP statement (EBT card alone is not accepted)
• Insurance card/approval letter for Medical Assistance
(dated)
• A statement of benefits from: Social Security, General
Assistance, Veteran Administration,
Retirement/Pension, or Unemployment Compensation
• Proof of WIC or Head Start
• Proof of Extended Foster Care
• Section 8 document
• Federal Public Housing document or
Public Housing ID
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
statement
• Free or reduced lunch (National School Lunch
Program)
• State, federal, or tribal tax return (W2 forms not
accepted)
Since June, members of the community have taken the time to address the Board of Trustees to passionately voice their concerns and call for action for the library to remove, relocate, or maintain as it is, library materials and displays with LGBTQ content.
The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County appreciates, acknowledges, and respects each of the viewpoints and the time you have taken to express those perspectives with us.
The public library provides information and access of its materials to all people of all ages. A public library provides an impartial environment with information in various formats and different viewpoints allowing an individual to choose for themselves what they want to read so that they may learn about the world around them and what is reflected in their own personal lives.
If at anytime someone is dissatisfied with a display, book, or materials in the library, please contact the library to fill out a request for reconsideration form. Reconsideration forms are available in person at each library location. The library is in the process of making it available online as well.
Book Displays
Book displays and exhibits are created to highlight local, state, and national celebrations and observations along with new library materials, services, and programs. A library committee chooses the book displays each year that will be implemented at each library location. The library system is working to equally balance the spacing and promotion given to book displays each month for children, teens, and adults. The library is also in the process of creating a suggestion form for those who would like to submit an idea for a future book display. Final decision for library displays will rest with the director, under the authority of the board of trustees.
Children’s Area
The library will not relocate children’s books from the children’s room to the adult section. Children’s books are written at age-appropriate levels. It is the parents’ decision to monitor what their children read and not for another person to choose for them.
Young Adult Area
The library is currently reevaluating the graphic novel collection. Graphic novels with mature content will be moved to the adult area.
On June 2, 2020, the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine stated,
“There is racism in Ohio. There is inequality in Ohio. There are both economic and health disparities in Ohio. I am seeking dialogue to solve these problems. We should all be outraged that in the year 2020 in Ohio and across our Nation, there is still inequality of opportunity and racism.”
The American Library Association defines Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for libraries…“”Equity” takes difference into account to ensure a fair process and ultimately, a fair outcome. Equity recognizes that some groups were (and are) disadvantaged in accessing educational and employment opportunities and are, therefore, underrepresented or marginalized in many organizations and [communities]. Equity, therefore, means increasing diversity by ameliorating conditions of disadvantaged groups.
“Diversity” can be defined as the sum of ways that people are both alike and different. When we recognize, value, and embrace diversity, we are recognizing, valuing, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual.
“Inclusion” means an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the [community’s] success.”
The State Library of Ohio guides Ohio public libraries further…
“The State Library of Ohio believes the highest quality of library services should be available and accessible to all people in the state. We acknowledge that past and present inequity and systemic discrimination have excluded many from the wide range of benefits provided by libraries. Eliminating exclusions to universal, equitable library services demands the recognition, understanding and prioritizations of the history, perspectives, and aspirations of all people. The “all” includes, and is not limited to, people of every racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, economic, educational, geographic, and disability status. Library service will be improved when the community we serve is represented in our work.”
Based on this guidance from the leaders of the Ohio library world, the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County Board of Trustees reaffirms the library’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the following resolution:
WHEREAS Public libraries are a trusted and welcoming place and have a rich history of combating censorship, reflecting our communities, and striving toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in our collections, resources, buildings, and staff.
WHEREAS Public libraries provide equitable access to information for ALL people regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, educational background, or disability status.
WHEREAS, The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County has created strong partnerships with numerous community organizations representing diverse individuals and groups and continues to seek out new partnerships.
WHEREAS The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County provides lifelong learning programming for all ages to enrich and enhance our understanding of our world.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County reaffirms our commitment as an institution which values not merely freedom of speech but a commitment to the truth, democracy, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Adopted this 16th day of August 2022.