Jen Saltsman, Author at Soapbox

Jen Saltsman's Latest Articles

Library offers free, legal music downloads

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July 10, 2012

At $1.29 per download, five ITunes singles can cost $6.45. Thanks to the Public Library of Cincinnati’s commitment to online accessibility, you can download five songs from the Freegal music database every week legally and for free. “There is a tremendous variety of music available on the database,” says Sandy Bolek, the library's website coordinator. “And we’re excited to offer a product that is similar to our e-books' collection.” In 2004, The Public Library of Cincinnati became one of the first libraries in Ohio to add an e-books collection to its online resources. Since then, Bolek says she has noticed an increase in library use and library card applications. “The e-books have been popular among library card holders,” says Bolek. “They give people the option to easily access the library’s services from home. We have been trying to make a gradual shift to more online accessibility for our customers.” In 2011, the Public Library of Cincinnati added Freegal’s music database to its online resources. Currently, Cincinnati Public Library cardholders can access music, e-books and audiobooks using computers at the library, computers at home and smartphones. As with any library transaction, a library card is required for the Freegal music downloads. But, in not-so-typical library fashion, there is no return date. Once the songs are downloaded onto your Mac, PC or phone, they are yours to keep forever. Bolek says that the downloadable music program has been successful. She also says that the staff is always looking for new ways to make the library digitally available. “In the future,” she says, “you may not even need to come into the library to use most of its services.” Do Good: Visit: a public library near you. Download: music with your library card. Like: the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County on Facebook. By Jen Saltsman

Cincinnati Parks summer camps get kids outside

By Jen Saltsman

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Arts + Culture

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May 22, 2012

In 1927, naturalist Esther Stephenson organized Cincinnati Parks’ first summer camp. Cincinnati naturalists say that Stephenson, an early advocate of environmentalism and the outdoors, would carry large signs on the bus to advertise her day camp while on her way to work. Today, Cincinnati Parks’ summer camp program gives children ages 3-13 chances to learn about nature and explore the outdoors. The 19 different camps, which run from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., are now open for registration online and include five days of outdoor activities and planned lessons from nature specialists. “Kids spend so much time playing video games or surfing the Internet—those things keep them inside,” says Ruthann Spears, manager of Cincinnati Parks’ Explore Nature division. “We want to show them that getting muddy is OK.” Through their program, Cincinnati Parks naturalists hope to engender a sense of curiosity in their campers. Their goal is to get children and adults outside to explore Cincinnati’s parks on a regular basis. “We want to shows kids that being outside isn’t scary,” says Spears. “We want to give them a chance to connect with the outdoors and instill in them a love of nature that they’ll share with parents and friends when they get home.” Cincinnati’s park system--what Spears calls “everyone’s backyard”— comprises 70 neighborhood parks in locations ranging from Mt. Washington to Mt. Airy. Cincinnati Parks’ summer program offers camps in more than 10 of the 70 Cincinnati parks. In 2009, summer camp employees served more than 5,400 children from all 52 Cincinnati neighborhoods. But camp isn’t just for kids: Last year’s biggest success was Grand! Camp, an outdoor bonding experience in Ault Park for young children and their grandparents. The camp premiered last year, and sold out within the first few weeks of registration. Spears says the most popular camps in the program are the Astronomy Camp in Burnett Woods, the Grand! Camp and the Nature Camps in Ault, French and Stanberry Parks. Following the path of Esther Stephenson, Cincinnati Parks naturalists look forward to another summer of outdoor learning. Spears, who wishes she could sign up for camp herself, says reconnecting with nature helps people to connect with themselves and each other. “We should be outdoors most of the time,” she says. “That’s just how we were built.” Do Good: • Register: your child for one of Cincinnati Parks’ summer camps. • Like: Cincinnati Parks on Facebook.• Visit: any of the area's parks. By Jen Saltsman