Services FAQs

  • General Questions

    The Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL) provides free library service to people who cannot read traditional print because they have a visual, physical, or reading disability. Audio and Braille materials are sent to and from users by postage-free mail, or can be downloaded from the internet. A special Talking Book player is provided on loan. KTBL has been in operation since 1969 and is part of a national network of libraries administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a branch of the Library of Congress.

  • General Questions

    Please submit a Program Proposal so our program coordinators can review it. They will be in contact with you regarding their decision. 

    The library offers basic help over the phone (859) 962-4000 or in person. For more in-depth help, all 3 of our locations offer classes for a wide range of technology. Learn more here.

    If you call or visit one of our locations, our librarians and staff would be happy to provide recommendations. 

    You can call (859) 962-4000 or chat/email a librarian. You can also visit one of our three locations to get help from a librarian in-person.

  • Career & Job Services

    Need assistance with ID.me or with filing? The Covington office of the Kentucky Career Center has a computer lab space and can help you through that process.
     
    Below are the appropriate numbers to inquire about Unemployment. 
     

    Staff do not have the ability to assist patrons with unemployment services. This means that we are not able to look up any of your information, check claim status, or help file their claims. We can help you with job searching and training with our Career & Job Services programs. 

    To access Gale Courses you must first obtain a Kenton County Public Library card.  Click on “Digital Library" from the top navigation menu. Under format click on "Online Learning Courses." You will see Gale Courses on the list.

    The best way to contact a Career Navigator is to visit this page, opens a new window. Contact information is listed. Please email or call to schedule an appointment for assistance with your job search or career transition. A Career Navigator will get in touch with you within 24 hours.  

    Interested parties can sign up for the NKYAG Weekly Newsletter here, opens a new window. The newsletter usually goes out on Friday afternoons.  

    Past recordings can be accessed here. Recordings are listed chronologically from newest to oldest. The listing will have both the recording link and the password to access. 

    -The best way to join NKYAG is to contact a staff member. We can provide you with further information and clarify any questions. 

    We offer an in-depth Interviewing Skills Workshop to prepare you for success during today’s expansive interview processes. You can also schedule a “mock” or practice interview with one of our Career Change Navigators, opens a new window or one of our NKYAG Volunteer Coaches. Access classes via Career and Job Services. 

    We offer the following live classes to assist with LinkedIn profile optimization. Check the online calendar for available dates. 

    • Build Your LinkedIn Profile, Parts I, II, III, & IV 
    • Supercharge Your LinkedIn Profile 
    • LinkedIn Portraits 

    You can access a list of books recommended for jobseekers or career changers here, opens a new window. We also have a list of the best books available electronically here, opens a new window. 

    You can join our Get Started: Orientation for Professionals New to Career Transition Program offered twice a month on Tuesdays at 9:30AM to gain an overall understanding of the job search process and local resources available to help you for free. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our Career Change Navigators, opens a new window to help you one-on-one. They can meet with you in person or via Zoom. Learn more at our Career & Job Services page. 

    Career and Job Services classes are listed in several places. The Career & Job Services page has programs categorized as Beginner and Advanced and lists registration links to all our classes. Alternatively, patrons can access the event calendar at kentonlibrary.org/events, opens a new window. Programs can be filtered using the “Event Types” drop-down. Select “Career & Job Services” for workforce programs. 

  • Educator Support

    Free, online homework support available from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Interact with live tutors for help with different subjects! 

    An online resource for educators, parents and homeschoolers. It has worksheets, lesson plans, learning games and more that you can download and print for free! (K-6 and various subjects). 

    The library offers remote learning resources – from videos, databases, publications, etc. All of them can be found here. We also have a School Services Coordinator, Lise Tewes who is more than happy to help. 

    Lise Tewes
    School Services Coordinator
    Kenton County Public Library
    Lise.Tewes@kentonlibrary.org
    859-962-4147

    Homeschool educators can apply for an educator card for all the same benefits as a classroom educator. We also offer resources to help you get started building your homeschool practice. You can find them here.  

    Yes, we have classroom library cards that allow you to access our digital resources and more. Please contact our School Services Coordinator, Lise Tewes with questions and to sign up. 

    Lise.Tewes@kentonlibrary.org
    859-962-4147

    An educator card is available to all educators who teach in, or live in, Kenton County, including home school and preschool. With an educator card you are able to check out up to 100 items at a time. Lost and damaged fees will be waived up to 5 books per school year. Sign up for an educator card at one of our three locations. 

    The library has several special services for educators (infant through grade 12) to support and extend classroom activities, including: educator cards, educator collections, school visits, library tours & student library cards, database training and more. Find more information here or contact our School Services Coordinator, Lise Tewes at 859-962-4147.

  • Notary Services

    All three of our branches offer free notary services. 

    Free Notary Services Available at All Locations

      1. Contact your branch to verify a staff member is available for notary services. 859-962-4000
      2. Bring a current correct ID with your identity verification. The ID should include the following:         
        • A photo of the bearer
        • Accurate physical description of the bearer
        • Signature of the bearer
          1. For example:  a driver’s license, official state-issued ID card, military ID, passport, etc. And it MUST BE current.  No expired identification will be accepted.
      3. DO NOT sign any documents before arrival.
      4. Documents must be typed and not hand written.
      5. If your document(s) requires witnesses, you will need to bring them with you. Witnesses will not be provided.

    Please call the branch to verify a staff member is available for notary services before arriving.

  • Genealogy Help

    Talk to family members: parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Family members are an excellent source of information. When speaking with family be sure to write/transcribe all the information (see family group sheets) and, if they are willing, record the discussion. Also, check with family members as someone may already be working on the family tree and this can save valuable research time.

    Staff in the Local History and Genealogy Department is very knowledgeable and can assist with genealogy and historical research. The Department has a large collection of print, microfilm, and online genealogical and historical resources available.

    For a full list of getting started tips view our Getting Started Guide. 

    Monday 9:00-5:00
    Tuesday 9:00-5:00
    Wednesday 9:00-5:00
    Thursday 9:00-9:00
    Friday 9:00-5:00
    Saturday 10:00-5:00
    Sunday 1:00-5:00

    At our Covington Branch Library - 502 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY 41011

    (859) 962-4000

    Yes, our Covington Branch Library houses our Local History & Genealogy Department - full of resources, Local History Librarians and more.  

  • Homebound & Outreach Services

    Fill out the form here. 

    Read more about Racing to Read here. 

    We offer Homebound & Outreach Services where the library brings materials to you!

  • Tax Resources

    No, we cannot assist you with taxes. However, during tax season we have a volunteer group from the AARP Tax-Aide program who can. Please contact us for more information. 

    We are able to print out any Federal or State tax forms for you. Just visit one of our branches, let us know which form you need and we can print it off. 

  • Hispanic Resources

  • Empower Tools

     
    No, there are no holds or reserves for Empower Tools. Our collection is very small and we are unable to hold tools for patrons. Because all of our tools are in the catalog, they look like they can be put on hold, but they cannot, nor can they be renewed.

    Empower Tools at an offsite (not at the library branch) location, at 321 W. MLK Blvd (also known as 12th St) inside the Hellmann Creative Center. We are open on Monday and Wednesday from 4 pm to 7 pm, and Friday from 1 pm to 6 pm.

    You can check out up to 3 items for 7 days at a time. After 7 days, our tools do accrue fines at 5 dollars a day, per tool. We encourage you to bring them back on time, either to the Empower Tools location, or you can also return items to the Covington Branch library.

    Email us at covingtonempowertools@gmail.com with your name, address, phone number, email, and library card number.
     
    A staff member will contact you within a few days to verify your information. After your information has been verified you may checkout a tool.  
     

     

    List of Tools

    321 W. MLK Blvd 
    Covington, KY 41011
    859-962-4024

    Hours can be found here. 

    A tool lending service, supported by KCPL and the Center for Great Neighborhoods. Find more info here. 

  • GED & Testing

    You can use the Pearson Vue test preparation page to get ready for your test. 

    Brush up on your GED study skills 24/7 with two of our online resources.  Gale Courses has an instructor-led 24-hour GED test prep class.  Learning Express features a full GED Test Prep Center.  The Test Prep Center offers study materials, practice tests, and even a complete section in Spanish.  Both are free with your KCPL library card.  Visit the A-Z Guide to access these resources and more.

    We proctor GED and Pearson Vue tests. 

    Yes, we have free GED classes at the Erlanger location. 

    Free GED Classes
    Erlanger Branch
    Instructor: Alex Duvall
    Call to Register: 859-442-1166

    Testing hours are 10am-6pm on Thursdays and 10am-2pm the 2nd Saturday of each month in the computer lab at the Covington branch. 

    The Covington Branch offers GED & Pearson Vue testing.  Register via GED.com or work with Kentucky Adult Education to take your test. Pearson Vue testing is also available. Testing is offered Thursdays 10am-6pm and the third Saturday of the month from 10am-1:30pm.