I sat in the multi-colored chairs by the children’s book area. There was a huge colorful carpet, a white with pastel design rocking chair in the corner, and several stacks of individual sitting rugs. The three bookshelves behind me had bilingual signs (Chapter books: English/Español/Português; Children Books: English/Español; and Picture Books: English/Español). The walls were painted a light teal blue with wood board trimmings and blocks of tan. The white wood window shutters were shut, but the lighting was a nice bright color. There were 3 large nylon dragon flies hanging from the ceiling above the other two kindergarten size round tables and chairs. I wanted to ask about the library’s Spanish literature, but it seemed that the librarian was busy with a Middle Eastern man who could not understand what she was telling him. So I decided to search for myself. The library is not that big (I think it is only 3 times bigger than my small 2 car garage). There were 13 large bookshelves in total, including the 4 short children’s books shelves. I went to the chapter book section and found nothing in Spanish! I moved over to the next shelf and found 140 books in Spanish. The only problem is that they all of them were pre-k to kindergarten level. They were old. I stood in line and asked to get a library card. I asked how children could get a library card. The librarian said that their rules for that were that anyone under the age of 18 had to bring a parent or guardian and their card would be under that adult’s ID. How in the world can a 10 year old kid whose parents do not have a valid CA ID get a library card?
What could I really check out? I checked out two picture books for my niece about folktales and bunnies. My mind boggled with infinite thoughts. Once a month where members of the community come read to children. “That’s it?” I thought. I left sad that the biggest crowd at out public library was not to go check out books to read but to make us of the free internet provide. I was sad that many of the books were old. My first step out the door was to do some research on this. I found out that our library had to close two extra hours a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because the grant that kept them open finished this past December. I am volunteering in their Friends of the Library organization to go read once a month. My project right now is finding a way to get new books to the library. What can I do to help? Who can I get involved? Where do I begin? How can YOU help?
Jan 22, 2010 @ 18:47:48
Just take all your old books there. I take boxes each year.
Jan 23, 2010 @ 10:41:26
Good idea! I’m wondering if they organize book drives…?