The Ida Rupp Libraries will help to keep kids safe while on the water by offering loaner life jackets to the public for the day or weekend, and at no charge.

Here’s how the Life Jacket Loaner Program works. If boaters discover they don’t have enough properly-fitting children’s life jackets on board, they can simply visit the Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton or the Marblehead Peninsula Branch Library in Marblehead and sign out an infant, child, youth or adult life jacket for a three-day loan period. When they’ve finishing boating for the day, they can return the jackets to the same location.

“Ida Rupp Libraries are making 12 life jackets available for loan at each location, allowing hundreds of children to stay safer on the water,” said Director Lindsay Faust. “This allows our patrons and guests to safely enjoy the boating season on Lake Erie.

You may also call Ida Rupp Public Library (419-732-3212) or Marblehead Peninsula Branch Library at (419-798-0477) to learn more about the library’s participation in the program. To find other loaner sites near you, visit www.boatus.org/life-jacket-loaner. To check Ohio’s life jacket laws, visit www.boatus.org/LJLaws.

The libraries are located in Port Clinton at 310 Madison St.; Marblehead Peninsula Branch at 710 W. Main St., Marblehead.

For more information, contact Janice Beck at 419-732-3212, Ext. 106, or jbeck@seolibraries.org. For more information on Ida Rupp Public Library visit www.idarupp.org.