Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services customers no longer need to travel downtown with verification documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and divorce decrees. They can bring them to any Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County branch. 

Clients get a copy of the documentation and a receipt stating the library received the information. Library workers fax the information to the agency for daily distribution to agency staff. 

“The library has been very helpful throughout this process and we’ve gotten lots of feedback from them about the initiative," said Jim Ashmore, section chief of the agency's Performance Improvement section. "We tweaked a few things from their suggestions and we’re grateful for all of their help.” 

Some agency clients had to make a special trip downtown just to drop off documentation. The library initiative saves them time and money. 

“Many of our clients are not comfortable sending their documents through the mail, and I don’t blame them,” Ashmore said. “The library option is a nicer option for our clients. They don’t have to worry about missing a day of work to get downtown to turn in their verification documents. 

“And with gas prices so high, it saves them money from having to drive down here as well,” he continued. “It should also make the lobby less congested. Overall, it’s a win-win situation for everyone.”