Sunday on the Stairs: Civic Soundscapes
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Sunday on the Stairs is a monthly live music series hosted by the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library that transforms the Downtown Main Library into a vibrant civic stage. Held on the last Sunday of each month, the series features on the Library’s Social Stairs, a one-of-a-kind five-stories-tall staircase that is a visual exploration of artists and genres from 1945 to 2023. More than 1,600 songs are listed on the Social Stairs, and their artists are invited to perform each month. Each event is paired with oral history recordings and shared via YouTube. This amplifies the voices of Cincinnati’s creative community and positioning the Library as a cultural hub and advocate for local storytelling.
Challenge/Opportunity
This initiative was designed to address several key challenges:
- The need to increase public awareness of the Library as a dynamic, inclusive community space.
- The decline of traditional media platforms for local musicians and storytellers.
- The opportunity to showcase the Library’s role in civic engagement and cultural preservation.
- The desire to connect diverse audiences to the Library through music, history, and storytelling.
- The challenge of reactivating public spaces post-renovation and post-pandemic.
Key Elements of Innovation
Sunday on the Stairs launched in August 2024 and has quickly become a signature program for the Library. The series takes place on the Social Stairs in the Downtown Main Library’s atrium, transforming the architectural space into a performance venue. Each event features a local artist or group, curated by Library staff, and includes an oral history interview recorded by the Story Center team. These interviews and performances are published on the Library’s YouTube channel and promoted through a dedicated landing page. The program is supported by cross-departmental collaboration, including the Programs & Events team, Brand & Communications, and the Story Center. The goals of the initiative are to celebrate Cincinnati’s musical and cultural diversity, advocate for the Library’s role in civic life, and engage new audiences through accessible, free programming. The combination of live performance, oral history, and digital storytelling makes this initiative both innovative and impactful.
Achieved Outcomes
Since its launch, Sunday on the Stairs has drawn close to 800 attendees to the Downtown Main Library and reached even more through digital platforms. The Library has featured over 20 local acts, including artists such as Siri Imani, MADQUEEN, Kate Wakefield, Ricky Nye, and Freedom Nicole Moore. The YouTube playlist boasting 6,000 views offers a rich archive of performances and interviews that highlight the voices of Cincinnati’s creative community. Feedback from artists and attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for the Library’s support and visibility. The initiative has strengthened internal collaboration across departments and positioned the Library as a leader in cultural advocacy. Media coverage and social media engagement have further amplified the Library’s brand, reinforcing its role as a vital and inclusive community resource.
