There are those
– don’t worry, we won’t name names – who believe the only thing
you’ll find at the public library are books, books and more
books.
There are those – don’t worry, we won’t name names – who believe the only thing you’ll find at the public library are books, books and more books.
How wrong they are.
The days of libraries exclusively checking books in and out are long gone. National Library Week starts Sunday, and what better time to get reacquainted with your local library and all the services to be found there?
Still skeptical? Here’s a sample of all the fabulous things you’ll find in South Valley libraries.
San Benito County
Free Library
– Adult Literacy Program: Adults who need help strengthening their English reading skills can contact the library and get set up with a tutor. Participants meet with their tutor one or two times a week, set goals and track their English-reading comprehension progress. This free program currently has 16 volunteer tutors working and about 20 students. The program has proved so popular, there is a waiting list and a need for more volunteer tutors.
– Preschool Reading Program/Stay and Play: Parents come in and read with their children in the 3- to 5-year-old age bracket. After story time, kids and parents are encouraged to stay and play with educational toys. The idea is to have the kids become acclimated to playing and socializing in larger groups and learning letters and colors in preparation for kindergarten.
– Taxes: The library just concluded a pilot program that helped library patrons file their taxes. AARP provided tax assistance to people age 50 and up who earned less $60,000 annually. The program went so well, the library plans to do the same thing next year.
Source: Nora Conte, county librarian for San Benito County
For more information on these and other programs, including bilingual story time, free online tutoring, and the Born to Read program for newborns, visit www.sanbenitofl.org
Morgan Hill Library
– Mother Goose on the Loose Baby Story Time: This program is designed to bring books into a child’s life from the very start. Parents come in with their babies in the 0- to 18-month-old age bracket and sing songs, learn nursery rhymes, read stories and simply take advantage of an opportunity for interaction with their baby.
– Brainfuse: For parents who dread their kids’ math homework or for students who want expert help with their schoolwork, Brainfuse can help. Kids can bring their question or problem to the library, access Brainfuse and get free help from a live tutor online.
n Downloadable Audiobooks: For those readers who want to multi-task by reading the latest bestsellers while exercising, cleaning the house or driving, the library offers audiobooks in MP3 format from NetLibrary. Patrons can download the books, which will stay on their MP3 players for about three weeks. The books can be renewed, and when the book has been “read,” the file becomes inactive.
Source: Rosanne Macek, community librarian
For more information on these and other programs, including online newspaper and magazine access, special teen reading programs, and visiting author programs, visit www.santaclaracountylib.org/morganhill/
Gilroy Library
– War Time Memories Program: Every few months, veterans of war, their families and the general public are invited to the library. Veterans are encouraged to bring in mementos from war, uniforms and to share their personal stories of being a troop. The program has primarily focused on WWII speakers, allowing children to hear first-hand stories of one of the most significant eras in recent history.
– Online Programs: Aside from Brainfuse, the Santa Clara Library system has blogs and special research tools and other online resources to help students with school papers. Library patrons can also learn how to use Microsoft Office programs, navigate the Internet and learn how to make the most of the library’s databases and catalog.
– The Bedtime Story Time: Whole families are invited and children are welcome to wear their pajamas. Every Tuesday from 7-7:30pm, families can come together with other kids for their bedtime story.
Source: Lani Yoshimura, community librarian
For more information on these and other programs, including the library’s monthly book club, uploading school reports online for a tutor’s editing, and reading books online through eBooks, visit www.santaclaracountylib.org/gilroy/
School Libraries
– San Benito High School Library: Stocked with more than 27,000 volumes, including print, audio tapes, videos and DVDs for checkout. About 40 computers are equipped with Microsoft Office and the Internet and provide access to many online databases, including encyclopedias, newspaper and magazine collections, and online reference resources.
– Gilroy High School Cesar Chavez Library: The facilities are not only used by the Gilroy Unified School District’s board, the library is also used as a canvas by students. GHS students are working with Gavilan students and a professor to create a Cesar Chavez mural on one of the main walls. The library is currently on a mission to update its books to ensure the latest information is available to students.
