Giveaway set for former Ohio Valley University library books
Books from the former Ohio Valley University library are seen in boxes on a trailer after they were loaded up by volunteers in February. Many of the books will be offered free to the public during a giveaway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Wood County Christian School. (Photo Provided)
Jordan Smith, minister at the Coshocton Church of Christ, boxes up books in the former Ohio Valley University library Feb. 13. Representatives of Churches of Christ in the region will distribute the books from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Wood County Christian School. (File Photo)
Books from the former Ohio Valley University library are seen in boxes on a trailer after they were loaded up by volunteers in February. Many of the books will be offered free to the public during a giveaway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Wood County Christian School. (Photo Provided)
Jordan Smith, minister at the Coshocton Church of Christ, boxes up books in the former Ohio Valley University library Feb. 13. Representatives of Churches of Christ in the region will distribute the books from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Wood County Christian School. (File Photo)
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WILLIAMSTOWN -- Books from the former Ohio Valley University library will be given away Saturday at Wood County Christian School.
The Church of Christ-affiliated Ohio Valley University closed its doors in 2021 amid financial and academic struggles. The property was purchased last year by the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation, with plans to turn it into the WVUP Incubator and Technology Center. Ministers and volunteers from local Churches of Christ helped remove the books from the library in February. Some were given to ministers and churches, others donated to organizations that could use them.
Dale Parsley, minister at the Dewey Avenue Church of Christ in St. Marys, said there are still an estimated 40,000-plus books to be shared with the community. They include volumes on psychology, psychiatry, history, sociology, economics, theology and more, including some children's books, he said.
"OVU's library had a good range of books," Parsley said.
People can come to the school at 113 W. Ninth St. in Williamstown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday for the giveaway. There is no charge, but donations to the school will be accepted.
Parsley said the university's collection grew over the years in part due to legacy donations from the libraries of ministers who had passed away. He likes the idea of some of those books returning to the community, including people who may have had a personal connection to the school, rather than just moving to another institution.
"I believe if it goes into the hands of individuals, it'll be used more," Parsley said.