September was National Library Card Month and the Gilroy library used social media to promote it. New patrons receiving their first card were photographed next to an oversized library card. The photo was then posted to the library’s Facebook and Instagram accounts as a way to increase “the buzz” about library cards.
Although it’s now October, library staff member Lucio Ortiz said it’s never too late to sign up for a library card.
“It’s free,” said Ortiz, noting that the previous $80 fee imposed by the Joint Powers Authority was lifted as of July.
Lani Yoshimura, community librarian and an integral part of the Gilroy library since 1975, believes the drive was an idea that should be extended beyond September.
“Every month should be library card month,” Yoshimura said. “It’s the best deal in town.”
Last year’s drive resulted in 5,000 patrons issued cards. This year’s goal was to sign up 85 percent of the Gilroy community. “We offer so many different programs that we want to get people to come in,” Ortiz said. “We want as many people as possible to come back.”
It’s no coincidence that the September sign up drive coincided with the beginning of the school year. “It’s a great month to get new people to come in to use the library,” said Supervising Librarian Kelly Brennan Young.
Glenview Elementary School is already scheduled for a library visit, which will allow kids unable to get to the library on their own the opportunity to visit and check out materials.
The library staff strongly feels library cards offer children and adults so much more than books.
“It’s amazing the kind of things we do here,” Yoshimura said. “It really is a lifetime key to the rest of your life.”
Batman visits Morgan Hill
Theme music blasted from the Caped Crusader’s iconic car announcing his much anticipated arrival to the Morgan Hill library. His fans were not disappointed. Donned in black from head to toe, the superhero sprang from his car and announced to his admiring audience, “Hello, I’m Batman.”
Saralyn Otter, children’s librarian, escorted Batman into the library’s project room followed by a long line of excited fans. The room had been transformed into a superhero’s playland, complete with a superhero photo booth, a Hulk smash wall, a superhero mask craft table and a snack table, all in honor of the special guest.
A special storytime session was then delivered by the man behind the mask, Lucas Pastuszka, who admitted it was his first storytime presentation. “I was very nervous at first,” he said.
Pastuszka’s love of the famous superhero prompted him to don the mask and cape offering his services to children in the Bay Area.
“I’ve always been a huge Batman fan, since the age of about 2 years old,” he said. “I want to make kids happy.”
He certainly did exactly that. Brenda Peralta’s son Joshua, 8, and daughter Isabella, 3, were thrilled to see Batman.
“He loves superheroes,” Peralta said.
Aerin Schmall, 9, of Morgan Hill, thought it might be fun to see Batman in person, since he has something in common with the caped crusader.
“He has a lot of high tech devices, and I want to be an inventor when I grow up,” Aerin said.
Schmall’s mother, Krisyn Greenwood, a regular to the library, accompanied her son.
“I like all the events the library does,” Greenwood said. “I’m very impressed with our library.”
Children’s librarian Tamara Palmer was happily surprised by the turnout.
“We don’t often get a lot of people on a Saturday event in the afternoon, and this was a really good draw,” Palmer said. “It’s great to see them just as excited about the activities at the end of June, or July, as they were today.”
The library plans to invite the superhero back for a visit just as Pastuszka intends to continue performing for the kids.
“This is what I want to do,” Pastuszka said. “I feel like you don’t have to have a whole organization, each individual person can contribute something. I want to contribute my passion for Batman. I enjoy making people happy.”
