Rest assured our staff is working hard to make sure that we can continue to meet your needs virtually, even though our buildings aren't open. We are dedicated to serving you as much as we are able during this uncertain time.
Our online services are available for cardholders, including our collection of digital materials such as eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks, and streaming movies, music, and television shows. We also have online learning tools like Lynda.com, Mango Languages, Creativebug, and many more.
To help you with homeschooling (or to keep restless kids busy), check out this great page with links to Kids' Activities from all over the world! Be sure to check back because new activities will be added regularly.
Activities for KidsActivities for Adults
Due dates of any materials that are checked out, including SearchOhio and OhioLink items, are extended until we reopen - fine free, as always. Please do not return any materials to the library or book drops during this time. Any materials that you have on hold are frozen and will resume when we reopen.
Scroll down for resources and services to help ease your burden during this time.
Voting and Census
Mail-in ballots for the Ohio Primary are due by April 28, 2020.
If you have not yet voted, apply for an absentee ballot online as soon as possible to ensure your vote is counted.
For more information on absentee and mail-in ballots, visit the Stark County Board of Elections, or visit the Frequently Asked Questions provided by our Secretary of State, Frank LaRose.
Remember, every person who goes uncounted in Stark County is a $2,900 loss of allocated funds to county services!
Family and Children's Resources
Wifi service is FREE and available at our locations, in most cases extending to the parking lot. Please use all caution in social distancing and stay in your vehicle, if possible.
Tips on keeping kids focused and healthy during this time, by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Help manage your stress and keep yourself healthy using these resources from the Ohio Department of Health.
Charter Communications will provide free access to Spectrum Broadband and Wifi for 60 days to K-12 families who do not currently have a subscription.
Activities for Kids and Adults
Bored kids (or parents)? Check out the activities pages on our website! Be sure to check back because new activities will be added regularly!
Looking for activities to keep restless kids engaged? The Day By Day Ohio Family Literacy Calendar offers a song, video, activities, and book suggestions for every day of the year.
The Ohio Department of Health has a list of Virtual Exhibits for online learning and fun, and Family Activities to try during COVID closures.
TomTod Ideas is sending a daily email with resources and activities for Middle School students.
Learning Resources
Tumble Book Library is a curated database of children's eBooks, teen's eBooks and digital content, online math resources, and audio books.
Tumble Book Children's Library
Teen Book Cloud
Tumble Math
Audio Book Cloud
Romance Book Cloud
Educator Resources
Penguin Random House issues an open license online access for story time and classroom read-aloud videos and live events.
Mango Languages is offering Mango Classroom FREE for educators for the remainder of the school year.
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has put together a list of Educator Resources.
Curiosity City has more than 100 free home learning and play kits for a variety of book titles for all ages.
Help with Food
We are doing our best to keep these resources up-to-date, but please check with the provider to make sure they are still providing services.
Canton City Schools is providing “To Go” bags to students with three meals. Students, ages 1 - 18, must be present, and meals will be distributed Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at all Canton City School locations.
North Canton City Schools will provide breakfast and lunch for children 18 years of age and younger. Pick up at North Canton Middle School Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Children must be present.
Canton Local Schools is offering five locations where a child can pick up breakfast and lunch “grab n’ go” style from March 16 through March 20.
Lake Local Schools is providing Grab and Go lunches to ALL children 18 years and under at Lake Elementary School each weekday 11:00-1:00 p.m., as long as students are in "Remote Learning" status. This is open to all children, regardless of family income.
Lake Township FISH is providing emergency food bags to those in need. Delivery is available for those who need to stay quarantined at home. Priority will be given to families on free/reduced lunch, FISH families, senior citizens, and those who have lost their income due to quarantine closings. Register here.
The Stark County Hunger Task Force is providing the Backpack for Kids program on Fridays from March 20th-April 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m at the Ken Weber Community Campus at Goodwill. Clients must present a valid I.D.
Piada is offering a free kids pasta with sauce, cheese and a fountain drink, Monday – Friday (March 16 – April 3), during lunch hours of 10:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to children. They are also offering free delivery.
NEW: Sheetz locations are offering free Kidz Meal Bagz - one bag per child - at the following locations:
2939 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton - Store #389
1280 W. Maple St., Hartville - Store #529
Job and Social Services
United Way has established a COVID-19 Impact Fund will help workers who have lost their jobs or had reduced hours as a result of this pandemic.
NEW: Ohio Means Jobs has created a list of hiring opportunities for companies that need immediate help during the COVID-19 crisis.
Stress Relief
Many organizations are offering advice to parents and families about dealing with stress.
The Ohio Department of Education offers suggestions to support your child's social, emotional, and behavioral health.
Recovery and Behavioral Health
Commquest: Action plan for accessing services
Connections: A free recovery app that can help 'support patients in recovery by reducing relapse and promoting pro-social engagement.'
Narcan kits can be obtained for free from Coleman Crisis 24/7 or by requesting mail delivery of kits through Harm Reduction Ohio.
NEW: StarkMHAR: Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery is still offering services using telehealth.
NEW: Pathway Caring for Children is offering support for you and your children via telehealth.
Coleman Professional Services: for 24/7 Behavioral Health, Residential, Employment, and Supportive Services Assistance.
NEW: Stark County Mental Health Mobile Response.- seek help if you need it!
- Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746.
- Stark County Crisis Hotline & Mobile Response Team at 330-452-6000.
- Crisis Text Line - text '4hope' to 741-741.
- Foundations Warmline at 330-455-1234 (9am-11pm)
Emergency Care
Stark Help Central: A digital resource navigation tool for young people and caregivers of young people, birth to 25 years old, seeking assistance with basic needs, abuse and neglect, emergencies, mental health, education and more.
Business Resources
NEW: The Stark Economic Development Board has created a list of resources for small business owners.
Disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Economic and informational resources from the Ohio Health Department.
Health Information
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO is a trusted, authoritative source for public health information.
- Coronavirus Mythbusters
- Coronavirus (health topic) - This landing page for the Coronaviruses family of viruses includes background, select news on the outbreak, and links to Questions and Answers on Coronaviruses.
- Advice for the Public - This page has practical information for dealing with the outbreak on a personal level. The page includes video, graphics, myth-busters, and even tips for coping with related stress.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades
The CDC is our nation’s premier authority on public health information.
- Coronavirus (Enfermedad del Coronavirus) - This page is a one-stop shop for background on COVID-19, as well as the class of coronaviruses; CDC-authored news monitoring the situation, including all the statistics on cases; and a wealth of resources for professionals, travelers, and the general public.
- Cleaning Recommendations - This page carefully outlines recommended cleaning regimens, especially for households of those at risk.
- The CDC offers the following everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- The CDC offers suggestions for managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH)
The ODH is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak as well as any suspected cases in Ohio. A call center to answer questions regarding COVID-19 is open 7 days a week, from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p..m. Call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH, or 1.833.427.5634.
Johns Hopkins University
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Mapping by Johns Hopkins CSSE - The Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University is mapping the number of global cases of COVID-19. The data is updated throughout the day.
For Kids
- Brainpop Videos
- Talking to Children about COVID-19: A parent resource from the National Association of School Psychologists
- NPR Comic for Kids
Other Sources
About the Library
At Stark Library, nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our patrons and staff.
That's why the Board of Trustees and Library leadership made the decision to close all branches and services until further notice. We will continue to reassess the closure and use current information from health officials to determine the safest date to reopen.
During this crisis, which the World Health Organization has determined is a pandemic, we will continue to be in close communication with state and local health officials as well as other Ohio libraries.Why we have made this decision:
- In response to directives and strong indications from Governor DeWine and the Ohio Director of Health, Amy Acton, MD that aggressive early social distancing can stop COVID-19 from exponentially spreading.
- The scientific community agrees that minimizing new cases is essential to containing the virus’s spread.
- The accelerated growth of the virus in areas without aggressive containment is a sobering lesson in taking early action.
- It is consistent with the governor’s guidance.
We came to the conclusion that this closing is inevitable, and the longer we delay closing, the less benefit we get from this difficult decision. We will care for our staff by providing administrative leave with pay during this unprecedented closure.
The CDC offers the following everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
We recommend that individuals and families take these precautions for their health.