Ready, set, recipes! Here are our just published, fresh-out-the-mill recipes in one convenient place! These are the top vegan recipes of the day, and are now a part of the thousands of recipes on our Food Monster App! Our newest recipes include desserts and burgers, so if youre looking for something new and delicious, these recipes are it!

We also highly recommend downloading theFood Monster App with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, dont forget to check out ourPopular Trends Archives!

Source: Eton Mess

This Eton Mess by Brittany Berlin goes wonderfully after a heavy meal since this dessert is light and creamy!

Source: Coconut Curry Zoodles with Asian Greens and Silken Tofu

The key to creating the perfect bowl of Coconut Curry Zoodles with Asian Greens and Silken Tofu by Rachel Phipps is to fry off a few aromatics before adding curry paste to the pan to make sure you get a complex, layered broth, regardless of the paste youre using.

Source: Bean and Beet Burgers

Plant-based burgers are popping up all overeven in mainstream fast-food restaurants. Its great to have choices when youre on the road, but the homemade goodness of a burger like this one thats high in protein and low in fat. Featuring black beans, walnuts, oats, and pickled beets, these Bean and Beet Burgers by Robin Robertson have a great flavor and firm texture that holds up well when cooked. The wheat gluten will make firmer burgers, but its okay to leave it out if youre gluten intolerant.

Source: Baked Mac n Cheez

This Baked Mac n Cheez by Annie Kimmelman is one you wont want to miss! Baked mac and cheez is the ultimate comfort food and perfect to enjoy on a chilly day.

Source: Pot Pie

This plant-based vegetable Pot Pie by Wholesome LLC boasts a simple whole wheat crust, creaminess without dairy, flavor from a mixture of herbs & seasonings, and legumes providing an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.

Source: Chickpea Shakshouka with Avocados and Fresh Herbs

Shakshouka is a dish that has roots both in the Middle East and North Africa, and it is a fun dish to veganize. The traditional preparation calls for eggs to be poached over tomato broth spiced up with coriander, paprika and other flavors. But who needs the eggs? Not us! Instead, in this Chickpea Shakshouka with Avocados and Fresh Herbs by Lisa Dawn Angerame, chickpeas are added right into the sauce, along with extra vegetables, Aleppo pepper and a hit of nutmeg for a flavorful, hearty, protein-packed situation. You dont have to wait for breakfast to eat it, either. It is a great busy weeknight meal; serve it right out of the skillet with a side of crusty bread to sop up all that delicious sauce.

Source: Black Bean Fudge Brownies With Sweet Potato Caramel

Everybody loves brownies, but brownies with caramel are by far the best. This Black Bean Fudge Brownies With Sweet Potato Caramel by Ashley Madden uses a rich chocolate, black bean, and date brownie batter and then marbles homemade sweet potato caramel throughout the dessert.

Source: Dark Chocolate Brownies With Zucchini and Walnuts

These brownies are absolutely amazing because theyre soft, melt in your mouth, and decadent, without having any clue that zucchini is hidden inside. This Dark Chocolate Brownies With Zucchini and Walnuts by Camille David is straight forward and will surely impress your friends and family! Is there ever a bad time for brownies?

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading theFood Monster App with over 15,000 delicious recipes. It is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about theenvironmentalandhealth benefitsof aplant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to theOne Green Planet Newsletter!Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please considersupporting us by donating!

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From Eton Mess to Bean and Beet Burgers: Our Top Eight Vegan Recipes of the Day! - One Green Planet

December 8th, 2020 by Johnna Crider

You may recognize the surname von Holzhausen from Tesla Franz von Holzhausen designed Teslas Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. Hes also designing the Cybertruck, the Semi, and the next-generation Tesla Roadster. However, this isnt about him, but about what his wife, Vicki, is doing. I saw a tweet from Franz a couple of weeks ago and discovered that her business, Von Holzhausen, makes things that I like (think: cute stuff such as purses, wallets, and accessories.)

Im not really a purse-carrying person more of a backpack so I rarely buy them, but sometimes Ill treat myself to a wallet. However, I saw these cute credit card holders and decided to go with one of those. Perhaps Ill splurge another day on one of their backpacks. However, before I share my review of her products, I want to dive into what shes doing.

Von Holzhausen has a Conscious Code which is the standard of ethical and sustainable values and practices. Her products are approved by this code and meet the following criteria:

Their popular product, The Shopper, which is a large bag in Technik-Leather, was made with 17 plastic bottles and conserved 402 gallons of water along with 2.5 acres of land. It also has a 33% lower carbon footprint. Thats not what inspired me to support her, though. It was her work in giving back.

Money talks, as they say, and by choosing to support a company that is focused on sustainability instead of just going to Walmart and buying something that was cheaply made and will tear up by next year or so, I made a statement, and in turn, Von Holzhausen is also making a powerful statement several, actually.

Every year, Von Holzhausen gives 10% to its nonprofit partner, Hope Gardens. This year, theyve also donated to help with the Australian bushfire and the California wildfires as well as to Black Lives Matter foundations. During the holiday season, theyve added a few more charities to the list and encouraged customers to either give 20% or take off. The extra money they do raise will go to Hope Gardens and two more charities: Heal the Bay and the Humane Society.

The core reason why I wanted to support them is because of their sponsorship of Hope Gardens Family Center. Thats right the von Holzhausens have a heart for helping those who are impacted by homelessness.

Photo by Johnna Crider

The holiday season is pretty hard for those facing homelessness. I remember living in a shelter during Christmas at least four times in my life all when I was a kid. The shelter employees tried to make it fun, and as a child, I thought it was a grand adventure, but now as an adult, I realize the true situation my mother was in and am grateful for the kind people in the shelters who helped us.

The past two years of my life have been some of the most stable Ive ever had, and being able to support a company that has the goals of helping the people and our planet is something that I am proud to do.

Photo by Johnna Crider

I will keep this short and sweet. I simply loved the feel of the vegan leather. I would have gotten the wallet, but when I bought this, there wasnt a red one. That vibrant color spoke to me. What I also admire is their shipping options. Von Holzhausen has a sustainable option in which they fill the box up with tissue paper and wrap the item snugly in the tissue paper.

I make and sell jewelry online, and I use bubble wrap, but I never buy bubble wrap. Instead, I reuse the bubble wrapping from other products I buy online and also incorporate tissue paper. My reasoning for this is economics as well as sustainability, but if every company was to focus on sustainability in their packaging, I think it would make a huge difference.

I believe we should support businesses that support our values. Also, if you have it to spare and want to do something more, perhaps look into charities especially local ones that align with your own values, and donate what you can to them.

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Tags: charity, Franz von Holzhausen, Sustainability, Vegan Leather, von Holzhausen

Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem, and mineral collector, member of the International Gem Society, and a Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to Believe in Good. Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

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Von Holzhausen, Vegan Leather, & Helping The Homeless While Promoting Sustainability - CleanTechnica

HomeFood & BeverageBiospringer Introduces New Source of Vegan Protein From Yeast Fermentation Biospringer

In view of the increasing number of vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian consumers worldwide, Biospringer, a division of Lesaffre, is introducing its innovative new yeast protein. The new and revolutionary Springer Proteissimo 101 is a complete yeast fermentation protein for meat and milk alternatives that does not produce any unwanted taste.

Springer Proteissimo 101 is a nutrient-rich, neutral-tasting ingredient and an easy-to-use building block for tasty, protein-enriched foods. With the introduction of Springer Proteissimo 101, we offer a unique yeast protein that is both long-lasting and digestible and has a clean taste without unwanted aftertaste. This underlines Biospringers ability to innovate and implement a customer strategy that always focuses on customer needs and keeps consumer expectations in mind, says Hanane Lamjaj, Global Marketing Director of Biospringer.

Yeast protein is also gluten-free, and has a stable supply chain since it is not dependent on harvest or seasonality and can be produced continuously in France where the company operates. Yeast protein does not contain any genetically modified organisms, it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and is certified kosher and halal.

Biospringer also produces other yeast ingredients, in particular vegan flavours for meat and cheese analogs; including chicken, beef and cheese flavours. Biospringer is part of Lesaffre, one of the worlds leading yeast and fermentation groups.

The Proteissimo project was driven by Lesaffre R&D in collaboration with European partners such as Agro Paris Tech, Wageningen University, Improve, ProDigest, Ecoact and Campden BRI. Our innovative technology is protected by patents, says Eric Oriol, Director of the Puri Center, Corporate R&D of Lesaffre. The new product is based on more than a century of experience with yeast and yeast ingredients for food manufacturers and extensive consumer research.

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Biospringer Introduces New Source of Vegan Protein From Yeast Fermentation - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine

If ever there were a year to buy your loved ones vegan cookbooks, 2020 is that year.

Were surrounded by more vegan meats than ever before, while in the midst of accelerating climate change fueled by animal farming and an ongoing pandemic linked to animal confinement. The reasons for eating vegan in 2020 and beyond are clear. The only struggle is picking which vegan cookbooks to give as gifts.

Thats because publishers continued to shower the market with vegetarian titles in 2020, including solid new offerings from such accomplished vegan cookbook writers as Bryant Terry (Vegetable Kingdom: The Abundant World of Vegan Recipes) and Robin Robertson (The Plant-Based Slow Cooker: Over 225 Vegan, Super-Tasty Recipes).

I recently read through the stack of plant-based books that arrived at my home office during 2020 and selected these seven as the most unusual and best-suited to spreading holiday cheer during a season when were all hungry for change.

Vegan Christmas: Plant-based Recipes for the Festive Season, by Audrey Fitzjohn. Smith Street Books. $14.95.

With gorgeous photos and zero chat, this slender hardback serves up an elegant French Christmas worthy of holiday aspiration. Paris-based writer Fitzjohn sticks to Christmas classics (mushroom Wellington; frosted sugar cookies) and dishes designed to look great on display (festive fir artichoke puff pastry; praline-coated snowballs). The book is divided into five sections and contains recipes for sweet breakfasts, starters, festive mains, desserts and a whole chapter devoted to vegan yule logs (panna cotta with almond; chestnut cream with mango). The book gives both preparation and cooking times for all dishes. A few of the recipes, such as roasted tempeh with sweet potato mash or vegetable pies, might work into a weeknight routine, while most, including citrus punch, blinis with caviar, roasted seitan with vegetables and Black Forest cake, demand a festive occasion.

Evolving Vegan: Deliciously Diverse Recipes from North Americas Best Plant-based Eateries for Anyone Who Loves Food, by Mena Massoud. Tiller Press. $29.99.

Best known for playing Aladdin in the 2019 Disney live action hit of the same name, Massoud is an actor and a vegan who was born in Egypt, grew up in Toronto, lives in Los Angeles and thinks the world is becoming more vegan. His fun compilation book highlights this shifting food scene with tempting recipes from his own kitchen, his mothers kitchen and the kitchens of 35 vegan restaurants in major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Professional recipes in the hardback include loaded pancakes (Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge), jackfruit flautas (No Bones Beach Club in Seattle), Szechuan beef (YamChops in Toronto) and ice cream cookie sandwiches (FoMu in Boston). Massouds own contributions include tofu pad Thai and sweet potato lasagna, while dishes such as koshare, moussaka and basbousa come straight from his Mammas recipe box.

Two Dollar Radio Guide to Vegan Cooking: Recipes, Stories Behind the Recipes, and Inspiration for Vegan Cheffing, by Eric Obenauf. Two Dollar Radio. $14.99.

Its a bright yellow, palm-sized cookbook with an off-kilter point-of-view, yet its also something more. Tucked between recipes for fish tacos and sausage sammies is a quirky vegan short story about Jean-Claude van Randy, Speed Dog, Rach, the Drunk Publicist and a restaurant called Tofu Daddys Nacho Emporium. What the story lacks in plot, it makes up for in eggplant cook-offs, 1988 gray Aerostar vans and The Flaming Lips. In between the tiny chapters of this oddly engrossing plant-based tale is a (vegan) cheese-friendly menu of chicken wings, tater tots, breakfast sandwiches, crab cake Benedicts and Italian casseroles. The book includes two dessert recipes (Devilish cheesecake; maple-frosted cookie dough bars) and eight vegan life hacks.

Southern Vegan: Delicious Down-Home Recipes for Your Plant-Based Diet, by Lauren Harrtmann. Page Street Publishing. $21.99.

Hartmann, a long-time vegan, is a culinary school grad and pastry chef who grew up in the South. That combination produces a must-have cookbook stocked with recipes perfect for the winter season. These comforting dishes include Cajun Brussels sprouts with cheesy grits, barbecue tempeh with sweet corn pudding, Hoppin John risotto and smothered steaks with greens. The book includes both a baked white mac and cheese and a mac n cheese soup. Yes, theres a recipe for pimento cheese spread and another for biscuits with gravy, plus recipes for fried broccoli with creole rmoulade, jalapeno hushpuppies, and fried pickles. Dessert brings out banana split sugar-dusted beignets and Mississippi mud cheesecake.

Effortless Vegan: Delicious Plant-Based Recipes with Easy Instructions, Few Ingredients and Minimal Cleanup, by Sarah Nevins. Page Street Publishing. $21.99.

From the creative force behind food blog A Saucy Kitchen, this book serves up 75 gluten-free recipes that come together quickly using pantry staples. Nevins, an American living in England, delivers a menu rich in beans, grains and vegetables populated with dishes such as cheesy broccoli soup, 15-minute tomato soup, black bean chilaquiles, spicy cauliflower lettuce wraps and sweet potato-spinach curry. Chickpeas are a particular favorite and appear in recipes including 10-minute smashed chickpea scramble, Mediterranean chickpea-spinach stew, and savory socca pancakes with balsamic mushrooms. No-bake treats such as edible cookie dough and chocolate dipped peanut butter oatmeal bites dominate the desserts. The book finishes with 5-minute sauces.

Vegan Junk Food: A Down and Dirty Cookbook, by Zacchary Bird. Smith Street Books. $24.95.

Fast food classics get the vegan treatment and emerge as temptingly familiar dishes such as The Big Zac and mushroom poboys in this hefty hardback. Bird, who is based in Melbourne, Australia, offers a recipe for fablova (his vegan spin on pavlova, a favorite dessert Down Under) but it is one of few hints about his background. Otherwise the recipes for breakfast sandwiches, Philly cheese steaks, tofu banh mis, bratwursts and pizza waffles read like an American menu, as do appetizers such as mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers and poutine. The Southern-fried chicken drumsticks deserve mention for their innovative use of jackfruit in place of chicken flesh and cauliflower stocks doing duty as chicken bones. Desserts include baklava and chocolate hazelnut ice cream, while a chapter of vegan pantry staples closes the book.

Smoothies That Taste Like Girl Scout Cookies: Your Favorite Cookie Flavors Using Healthy, Whole-food Ingredients, by Colin McCullough. $4.99.

Self-published by the Portland, Maine-based author who wrote the 2019 The Healthy Vegan Cookbook, this slim volume packs in a strong list of cookie-themed drinks. Usual ingredients such as Medjool dates, cacao powder and bananas abound, yet there are many surprise ingredients too, such as quick oats, sweet potatoes and yellow squash. Flavored oils allow for the recreation of the classic cookie tastes. A portion of the proceeds supports the Girl Scouts of America.

Avery Yale Kamila is a food writer who lives in Portland. She can be reached at [emailprotected]

Twitter: AveryYaleKamila

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Seven new vegan cookbooks that perfectly suit this unusual year - pressherald.com

Its a good time to be vegan in the world of fashion. From vegan leather designer bags made from corkto Juicy Couture partnering with vegan fashion label Apparis to make faux fur tracksuits, theres no shortage of amazing cruelty-free clothing and apparel finds.

But vegan suede? Not so easy to track down. Thats why we were so excited to hear that the shoe maestros Mercer Amsterdamhave unveiled a new slate of stylish sneakers made with vegan suede from Alcantara. And this animal-free suede isnt just any suede-like microfiberits the same fabric thats used in ultra-luxe cars such as various Porsche models, BMW "M" cars, and certain Lamborghini makes.

So what makes the material so great for sneaks? Its both more stain-resistant and also more durable than suede made from animal products. Its also cruelty-free, of course, and gives you pretty epic bragging rights to say your shoe finish shares something in common with a swanky Porsche interior. This collection marks the first time Alcantara is used for sneakers, and were hoping it becomes the norm for suede shoes one day soon. The sneakers retail for 250 or about $335 USD as of press time. Currently, theyre available in grey/white, black/white, and black/black color combinations for the shoes body/sole.

I think Alcantara and Mercer go very well together because we both combine high-end design and sustainability, Dutch designer and Mercer Amsterdam founder Pim Mercer told Plant Based News of the new sneaker line. We dont know about you, but the photos alone make us desperate for the days when we can gather in groups once again with our fellow sneakerheads, rocking these new kicks of course.

Check out the new collection herejust look for those with the word Alcantara in the sneaker title. Hasta la vista, suede.

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These Sneakers Are Made With Vegan Suede Used in Luxury Cars - The Beet

Is your local library open in this time of Covid-related closures? It sure is, with some limitations to in-person visits but an open welcome for online access with a trove of multimedia resources available 24-7, and so much more than you might assume if you havent visited your local library recently.

Libraries in Globe and Payson now require appointments to be made in advance, in order to limit crowding and assure social-distanced safety in accord with federal, state and county regulations. Appointments arent required at Miami Memorial Library, which is open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. - noon; call 928-473-2621.

Business closures and many parents sudden introduction to homeschooling have prompted residents to search the internet for worthwhile online sources providing both education and entertainment. Gila County Governments Library District is here to help. If you have not already bookmarked the new and improved website, add gcldaz.org to your browser favorite shortcuts, and connect on social media at facebook.com/GCLDAZ for daily posts ranging from storytime videos for kiddos to convenient links to an array of magazines, newspapers and books online.

Youll find an impressive aggregator, with links for all ages; for example, lively storytime videos narrated onscreen often with a song by Adrea Ricke (Toddler Storytime each Thursday, and Babytime on Wednesdays).

Charming stories read aloud are just one of the many ways our libraries have found to continue serving local residents during a difficult time, said Gila County Public Services Librarian Elaine Votruba. Payson, Globe and Miami Library began to offer curbside service for students doing school work, and adults as well. Parents can call the library and tell them what the student needs, and the staff will find items and arrange an appointed time to meet for pickup in the parking lot during normal business hours and all our libraries are open for any type of questions, too.

No internet? No problem

Libraries also have free WiFi. Even though buildings now limit public access in order to keep both staff and visitors safer and prevent the spread of Covid-19, youre welcome to park at the library of your choice and connect on your laptop or wireless device. Spend even just a few minutes exploring gcldaz.org to find an amazing portal that links to all your favorite magazines yes, even the National Enquirer and all free to browse online.

A comprehensive site named GALE has the world at your fingertips with pages linking readers to the Encyclopedia Britannica, InContext for students, the Learning Express Library, and subjects ranging from science and U.S. history to global issues, biographies, literature and academia.

You will also find the following through the Gila County Library District portal: book reviews and authors, genealogy, Pronunciator and PowerSpeak language tutorials, legal forms and AzLawHelp.

Kids and adults all are welcome at gcldaz.org, where index page links include children, youth and young adult. Readers of any age can easily get distracted by the mind-boggling rack of popular magazine titles. Whether you prefer the erudite New Yorker or lightweight celebrity news of US or In Touch, youll find access here free. The Week, the National Enquirer, National Geographic, Prevention, Food Network Magazine, Cooking with Paula Deen, PC, Smithsonian, Soap Opera Digest, Taste of Home, WIRED and so many more magazines than space allows to list here. Read more at GCLDAZ, and please like and follow the new group page (search keywords Gila County Library District) for posts spotlighting new reading-aloud videos for kids, and Pro Tips from our local library experts showcasing library links you might not find without an insiders help.

Tour Gila County museums

OK, you may have visited Bullion Plaza in Miami or the Rim Country Museum in Payson but did you know theres a Miami Sports Hall of Fame on Adonis Avenue in our own town of Miami or the Pine-Strawberry Museum in Gila Countys northernmost community? Among library district resources is a museum page with links to all Gila County Museums. Take a virtual tour, get better acquainted with the Northern Gila County Historical Society (also known as The Museum of the Forest) and plan a visit to Payson to see the collections in person once were all able to travel safely again and museums reopen. Explore (virtually, for now) the Gila County Historical Society, the Perkins Store Museum in Young, the Visitor Center at Roosevelt Lake and Globes famous Besh Ba Gowah Archeological Park.

Wondering about books in stock?

Building access may be limited but you can still borrow books from our local libraries, which have arranged innovative ways to get books into the hands of Gila County residents who love to read. Moreover, the search function at gcldaz.org is fast (and, again theres free WiFi in the parking lot). Try it yourself; we tested the search on Thursday, choosing a rare book about a uniquely Arizona subject. Using the single keyword Filaree, quick as a flash it found the historical nonfiction account described as a moving novel of pioneer life in Arizona that has become a classic. Based on the life of the authors mother, it overturns every stereotype of western womanhood.

Want to learn more about our states unique plants, animals and biota? Search by author using the keywords John Alcock to find which of our libraries have titles such as After the wildfire: ten years of recovery from the Willow Fire, published in 2017 (both copies were available when we checked last week); or the lyrical writers Animal behavior: an evolutionary approach (1979, one copy available); In a desert garden: love and death among the insects (1998, both of two available), and either Sonoran Desert Spring or Sonoran Desert Summer collections of essays he wrote in 1985 and 1990, a delightful mix or scientific observation with seasonal ephemera.

Explore TumbleBooks for young readers in grades K-6, and a TumbleMath companion; links to ebooks at teenbookcloud.com; an audio book database for all ages at audiobookcloud.com; even RomanceBookCloud for a gauzy escape from the daily dirge and drama of Covid-19. All are welcome at gcldaz.org; search the keywords Gila-County-Library-District to join our new group page on Facebook.

If you have any questions or need help, contact your local library: Globe Public Library 928-425-6111, Miami Memorial Library 928-473-2621 or Payson Public Library 928-474-9260.

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Library Resources: They're online, free and 24-7 - coppercountrynews

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the 11th year in a row, Cuyahoga County Public Library earned five stars -- and the highest overall score among its peers in Library Journals annual rankings.

Cleveland Public Library ranked fifth in the same category, also with five stars for its 27 branches. Libraries that work with Cleveland in the Clevnet system -- including Heights, Lakewood, Rocky River, and Porter Westlake libraries -- also earned top star rankings.

Akron-Summit County Public Library was awarded three stars.

We are honored to receive the Library Journals coveted five-star rating. Achieving this recognition would not be possible without the dedication of our Library staff and the support of our beloved community, says Felton Thomas Jr., Executive Director & CEO of Cleveland Public Library.The five-Star rating shows the importance of Cleveland Public Library to the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Our world-class collection, thought-provoking programming, and family-friendly atmosphere are what brings visitors from around the world to the Library.

Published annually, the Library Journals Index compares U.S. libraries among their peers. Ohio has 31 star libraries, second only to New York, with 34.

The ratings work on a scale of five, four, and three stars, based on per capita usage data. At least 5,608 U.S. public libraries were scored based on total operating expenditures.

Among its peers, Cuyahoga County Public Library, with 27 branches, earned the Indexs highest overall rating, scoring 2,006 total points,180 points more than the closest library system.

Ultimately the reason that Cuyahoga County Public Library has been able to top the LJ Index year after year is because we are deeply committed to exceptional library service, said CCPL Executive Director Tracy Strobel in a news release. Our collection is outstanding, our staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to help; and our programs whether they are in-person or virtual are impactful, interesting, and fun. We strive to be exceptional, and that is what keeps our customers coming back again and again.

Voters in the 47 communities the library serve overwhelmingly approved Cuyahoga County Public Librarys 1-mill tax increase in November.

The Library Journal is one of the oldest, most respected publications covering library service.

The rating system, initially introduced in 2008, derives from data released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It strives to recognize and promote Americas public libraries through a pool of nationally collected statistics and encourages self-evaluation among the libraries.

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library system has also received the five-star award designation. Heights Libraries earned the award at least 10 out of the 13 years that Library Journal has published the rating.

Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin says the surrounding communities have been using the library more and more in recent years. The four branches earned their highest circulation numbers ever in 2019, with just a little over 2 million items loaned out or downloaded.

Even now, with shutdowns due to COVID-19, our community members are still borrowing items, attending virtual programs, taking advantage of free WiFi outside our buildings, and getting help on the phone and online with things like reference questions, tech questions, and even limited printing services, Levin said. People need us now more than ever, and we are finding new ways to help them safely with services like virtual resume help, online storytimes, and free online tutoring services.

Rocky River and Lakewood library systems received a four-star designation this year, the highest possible for their circulation size.

We are proud to serve our community and to be acknowledged as such, said Rocky River Public. Library Director Jaime Mason. Our wonderful staff at Rocky River Public Library deserve all the credit for this.

Lakewood Public Library Board President Michael Artbauer says Lakewood has been recognized as a star library every year Library Journal has been ranking public libraries.

I am very pleased to report that the Lakewood Public Library received a four-star designation from Library Journal, ranking the Library among the best public libraries in the nation, says Artbauer. To each of you, I express my sincere thanks for what you do every day, day after day, to serve the Lakewood community. Please know that you are appreciated. You are the stars that make the Library the success that it is.

Excerpt from:
Cuyahoga County Public Library tops Americas Libraries list, as other Northeast Ohio libraries awarded stars - cleveland.com

Posted on Dec 7, 2020

The Flint Public Library at Courtland Center will reopen Dec. 9 through Dec. 23 with lobby service. Patrons will be able to enter the library lobby for a short visit to pick up books on hold or check out DVDs, music and books on CD, according to a press release issued by library staff.

This service minimizes contact between the public and library staff to keep everyone safe during this time of high risk from COVID. Patrons can place holds from home, either online or by phone, according to Library Director Kay Schwartz.

When the holds are ready, they can enter the lobby wearing a mask, grab their holds, check out and be on their way in five minutes, she explained.

Library Director Kay Schwartz. (Photo by Jan Worth-Nelson)

For safety reasons, the computing center in the Annex at Courtland Center will be closed during this time, Schwartz said.

The press release detailed how the reopening would be conducted, as follows:

Library hours will remain the same; Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Patrons should plan their visits for less than 15 minutes (the CDC threshold for COVID exposure). Patrons are urged to go online to http://www.fpl.info and place a hold on materials theyd like to check out and then pick up in a day or two (when notified). They can also call the Library for help placing holds. Lobby service includes patron holds pickup, browsing of DVDs, CDs, books on CD, new books, holiday books, a selection of Childrens books, and Checkout. The Annex will be closed; no patron access to computers, printers, fax machines, genealogy. Virtual programs will continue as scheduled. Go to http://www.fpl.info Join In calendar for links and details. Patrons still have 24/7 access to our large digital collection of books, magazines, music, tutorials and more with their Flint Public Library card. Go to http://www.fpl.info, Browse and Download. Library Cards/E-cards: You can get a library card on-site. You can renew your card on-site or by phone. People who need an E-card to access the digital library can get one online from home. Go to http://www.fpl.info, Browse and Download. Book/Materials return: Return on-site or at the drop-boxes located at the main and movie entrance at Courtland or Crapo Street near 1026 E. Kearsley, St. Flint. Dolly Parton Imagination Library registration: Free books for Flint Kids (Ages 0-5). Go to http://www.fpl.info for the link to register online or register on-site.

The library will be closed to the public Dec. 24, 2020 through Jan. 4, 2021.

FPL $27.6 million upgrade plugs on through the pandemic After 60 years at its Kearsley Street location, the library is undergoing a $27.6 million upgrade, facilitated by $16 million from major donors and by a bond approved by 68 percent of voters in November that will raise an additional $12.6 million.

The Flint Public Library during construction and renovation October 2020. (Photo by Tom Travis)

The buildings deterioration, along with a desire to bring it up to 21st century standards, is what propelled the successful campaign for a like-new library, as Director Schwartzdescribed itin August.

The temporary Flint Public Library location is at Courtland Center, 4190 E. Court Street, Burton, MI 48509. Patrons can email the library at askus@fpl.info or call(810) 232-7111.

EVM Staff EVM may be reached at eastvillagemagazineflint@gmail.com

See the article here:
Flint Public Library at Courtland to reopen Wednesday, Dec. 9 with limited lobby service - East Village Magazine

Editors note:Duck of the Weekis a new section in Around the O Workplace that highlights UO employees and their work. Each story features an interview with one employee, in his or her own words, with light editing for clarity and length only.

Rayne Vieger

E-Learning & OER Librarian

How long have you worked at the UO?

Ive been here at UO for 19 months now.

Tell us about your work:

I am an e-learning and open educational resource (OER) librarian, which consists of two main roles. For the e-learning side of my job, I serve as an instructional designer within the library. I advance the librarys presence in online learning and design online learning supports for students.

I also raise awareness about textbook affordability and the need for open educational resources, or OERs. OERs are free and openly licensed course materials or textbooks that can help ensure that all students have access to course materials on the first day of class regardless of their financial situation. I teach workshops and collaborate with individual faculty members, librarians and instructional designers. Beyond that, I am also a liaison between the library department and our statewide OER coordinator to help connect faculty with resources as they transition to lower-cost options for their courses.

When I first joined the UO community, awareness about textbook affordability was fairly low. Interest about this issue is definitely gaining traction now though because students are really invested in it. As librarians, we cant change tuition costs or student fees, but we can affect the textbook prices by choosing open textbooks or other lower-cost options through the library.

What does your typical day look like?

On the OER side of things, my responsibilities vary day to day. I do a lot of outreach to individual faculty to help them learn more about low-cost alternatives for their courses as well as the cost-based textbooks that theyre currently using. Im also co-leading a Textbook Affordability Task Force sponsored by the Office of the Provost this fall, where we are working to create a textbook affordability strategic plan for the university.

In terms of e-learning, my job changed quite a bit once we all went remote and students didnt have access to the physical library anymore. I worked with Information Services and UO Online to create a librarian role within Canvas to help connect students with their subject liaison librarian and make sure that they had the research support they needed within the learning management system. I also worked with a team of librarians to develop a suite of library tutorials for students learning online for the very first time. These videos were designed to help students navigate different library services and resources that they might need throughout the remote learning period.

My job is unique in that I work with everyone, whereas other librarians focus on specific disciplines. I serve the whole university and anyone who wants to transition with lower-cost options. I have worked with the UO Composition Program and other departments who are interested in OER to find low-cost alternatives for traditionally high-cost textbooks.

What do you like about working at the UO?

As someone who is in a brand-new job at the UO, I have to rely on strong relationships across campus to raise awareness about OER and the issue of textbook affordability. With that in mind, I feel incredibly grateful for the wonderful partnerships Ive created across campus within the library, UO Online, Teaching Engagement Program (TEP), Office of the Provost, and ASUO too. They have been wonderful colleagues to work with and have all expressed support and interest in OER. Thats what I enjoy mostconnecting with faculty who are interested in OER, and working with really wonderful colleagues that help amplify this message across campus.

What keeps you motivated?

Students are definitely my biggest motivation since they are the entire reason why my career has been in higher education. Especially during this remote learning period, I empathize with students who are learning online for the very first time and are struggling to make ends meet financially. I believe that the pandemic has only increased the need to focus on textbook affordability because many students are out of work right now, which translates into a significant financial impact. The faculty I talk to often think that books make up such a small part of the overall student cost, but lots of times students choose not to purchase them in order to meet other basic needs like food and rent. Choosing not to purchase a text can have a disproportionate effect on a students education, so I am motivated to ensure that they have the best possible learning experience at the UO through equitable access to course materials.

I am also constantly inspired by the students I have interacted with in ASUO. They are such amazing leaders and have made textbook affordability and OER a priority this year. Thats been really cool to see, and I feel really grateful that I get to partner with them on that.

What is something people may not know about you?

When I came to Oregon five years ago, it was actually for a job at Oregon State University as an instructional designer and instructional design manager. My husband is also a professor of history at Oregon State, so were kind of a divided house. I started out as a Beaver and then later became a Duck, so that might make me a platypus!

Rayne Vieger is part of UO Libraries.

Do you know someone who should be Duck of the Week?Nominate a UO employee.

See the article here:
Raising awareness about access to affordable textbooks | Around the O - AroundtheO

Euclid Public Library already has a full roster of virtual programming on its calendar, but most recently launched access to Tutor.com, a virtual tutoring service that provides assistance to learners of all ages on a one-to-one basis.

Euclid Public Library cardholders have free access to Tutor.com's services, which include academic assistance across almost every subject such as help with ACT and SAT tests, writing coaches and various practice quizzes.

The library's Marketing and Communications Manager Ashley Gowens said she is excited about launching their partnership with Tutor.com and for students to see what a great resource it can be.

"As soon as you click in your information from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, they have over 30,000 tutors that have been vetted that are available for patrons during that period of time to assist with anything that they need," Gowens said.

"The fact that you can [virtually] drop off a paper and someone can review it and provide you with feedback for free. Those are resources that are priceless, especially in the schools right now," she added.

Gowens said that Tutor.com also offers services for adults looking for career coaching, resume reviews and other similar resources.

Prior to the pandemic, library staff used to offer students homework help but since the library is now running with limited services in the building itself to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Gowens said she was concerned about all the students who regularly utilized that program.

"As soon as our doors closed, we knew that was going to be a barrier that we had to find a solution to fix," she said.

One of the ongoing virtual discussions the library offers on its YouTube channel is "Graphic Novel Friday."

She said the partnership with Tutor.com, which officially launched Dec. 1, came right on time amid many schools operating their classes entirely remotely.

More information on how to access the platform with a Euclid Public Library card can be found at http://www.euclidlibrary.org/content/tutorcom-available-now.

While tutoring access is the newest addition to the library's online services, staff has transitioned many other classes and programs to be available virtually.

Book discussions, arts and crafts classes and yoga sessions are just a few on the library's calendar.

"We're excited because we were able basically to take all of those programs that we offered in the library and do them all virtually and our staff really took to it. Our patrons were also excited to connect with our staff," Gowens said.

She explained that the library had never offered virtual programs in the past, so transitioning to a fully online format was a major undertaking. Gowens said she has been impressed with their staff's ability to adapt and the overall success of the programs.

"We realized really early in the pandemic that we had to pivot, and the best opportunity we had was online," she said.

The full calendar of virtual events and instructions on how to register for them can be found on the library's website.

See the article here:
Euclid Public Library adds access to virtual tutoring to its online services - News-Herald.com