Keeping Connected

How one small library is making a big community impact

KINGSTON, Ohio- In this small village of 1,245 people, the local library offers a sense of togetherness and quiet comfort. The scent of aging paper fills the air, mingling with the waxy aroma of crayons and drying paint from the nearby crafting area. A cheerful librarian welcomes each guest by name. That’s just the way things are around here.

That librarian is Teresa Anderson Kiger, known to patrons as Tracy, who has worked at the Chillicothe-Ross County Public Library’s Kingston branch for over ten years.

Tracy Anderson Kiger, librarian at the Chillicothe-Ross County Public Library’s Kingston branch, stands in front of the fiction shelves on March 14, 2025, in Kingston, Ohio. (Photo by Jasmine Williams)

I spent much of my childhood in Kingston and, like many locals, have come to know Tracy as a steady presence at the library, making her a beacon to generations of visitors. Her understanding of community needs and ability to meet those needs is something to admire.

During a recent interview, Tracy highlighted many of the resources and activities offered across the library branches, including craft nights, bilingual story-time sessions, résumé assistance, and an internet hotspot loan program.

Top Left: Books on immigration and identity, such as Immigrating to America Through Ellis Island and I Am Golden, are featured at the Chillicothe-Ross County Public Library’s Kingston branch as part of a curated display highlighting cultural stories. (Photo by Jasmine Williams). Top Right: A table near the entrance offers community members access to a wide range of resources, including tax help, crisis hotlines, music and streaming services, and job readiness materials. (Photo by Jasmine Williams). Bottom Left: The library’s seed exchange includes vegetables, herbs, and flowers for patrons to take home and plant—part of its Beyond the Books initiative supporting sustainability and community gardening. (Photo by Jasmine Williams). Bottom Right: Scarecrow figures made from painted flower pots and straw are held up during a fall craft night at the Kingston branch, one of several events aimed at bringing families together through creative programming. (Photo by Tracy Anderson Kiger)

“Sometimes the program is as simple as they just come and do coloring sheets, visit, and eat snacks,” Tracy said. “But they get to visit.”

The library also hosts unique community events, such as a children’s clothing bank, a discovery garden, and educational seminars on topics ranging from babysitting basics to legal advice.

Through its Beyond the Books project, the library lends out items not typically associated with library visits. These include everything from classic board games and movies to practical tools like jumper cables and metal detectors.

“I wish that everybody realized all of the stuff the libraries offer and that it is free,” said Tracy. “That’s the biggest thing.”

Her hope is that more visitors will take advantage of these programs and help spread the word throughout the community.

For an even wider range of resources and a closer look at the direct community impact, listen to the full interview below:

While Kingston’s library is a shining example of community connection, it’s also part of a much broader conversation about the role of libraries in today’s world.

Across the United States, both literacy rates and overall library attendance are steadily declining. According to 2024 data from the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 28% of U.S. adults read at or below a third-grade level. That figure is nearly 1.5 times higher than in 2017 when the rate was only 19%.

Map of the United States showcases data on literacy rates by state in 2025. Northeastern and Midwest states report generally higher rates compared to Southern and Western states. Data collected from datapandas.org.

The United States falls short in terms of literacy compared to countries with similar resources. According to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), 72% of adults in Japan read above a third-grade level, compared to 63% in Finland. In the United States, only 50% meet that same benchmark. Twenty-one percent of the adult population is entirely illiterate.

Public libraries have the potential to help combat this growing literacy crisis by offering free access to knowledge and lifelong learning opportunities. More than 40% of America’s public libraries are located in rural communities, which statistically experience higher poverty rates and lower access to technology, education, and other basic services. Local libraries play a key role in helping to balance the scales.

The Kingston branch library serves a large range of people throughout the community, but it has a particularly meaningful impact on elderly residents.

Just across the street from the library sits a low-income apartment complex, home primarily to retirees. Many of these individuals visit the library for practical resources, but what they often seek most is even more valuable: companionship.

The librarians meet this need with open arms.

“Any way that we feel that we can help out, we do,” said Tracy.

Whether you’re a frequent visitor or just stopping by for the first time, the Chillicothe-Ross County Public Library’s Kingston branch welcomes you like family.

The Kingston library branch is not the only one of its kind, however. Stop by your local library today. You might be surprised by how much better you feel when you leave.

“Whatever the price of our libraries, the cost is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” -Walter Cronkite

For a quick social media showcase, visit the Instagram page here or preview the highlighted images below.

Instagram highlight showcasing upcoming Kingston library events for April, 2025. Other images include Substack article link, literacy rates map, and feature images.