If you're looking for a hotspot in Mendota, don't look for a beer bar. Hang out at the new library that opened in September. Now, there is a a happening place. County Librarian Karen Bosch Cobb showed us four numbers this week that sure made me want to check the place out:
* 18,000: Number of visitors to the library since September
* 261%: Increase in number of Items checked out
* 1,000%: Increase in number of new library cards
* 500%: Increase in computer use
Anyone who believes a library can't make a difference in a community isn't paying attention. That was just a small part of a delightful editorial board meeting we had this with Cobb and several other folks who are working on the master plan for the county libraries of the future.
The vision is an exciting one, as we describe in today's editorial.
So true Gail. Anne Neal at the Auberry branch and the Friends of the Auberry Library have made a huge difference in that community. Activities for teens, concerts,topical speakers have turned the library into a mini community center that seems to constantly be abuzz with activity.In addition anything you want in books,dvd's, and music is easily available.The F.O.A.L. has also paid for the installation of a large lawn area that hosts summemer concerts and gives the locals a park like area to escape to.
Parents really need to make it an early habit with their children to go and enjoy the library. My daughter loves to go and always checks things out and my husband gets cd's dvd's and stuff there all the time. They go online and put in a request for an itemand then pick it up here in town. My early memories of mom taking me to the library for storytelling hour is still very much with me.