Committee to look at long-term needs for county
The first meeting of the honorary committee for the future of
the library met Thursday in the Barbara Memorial Room of the San
Benito County Free Library.
In the week before the meeting, which was held after the
Pinnacle’s press time, County Librarian Nora Conte talked about
some of the things she hoped would come out of it.
”
I am a firm believer that if you don’t plan, nothing happens and
everything starts with people wanting to look into the future,
”
Conte said.
”
We are wanting to plan for the future and one thing that is very
crucial to a community is a vibrant library.
”
Conte said the estimated population in San Benito County in 2030
will be 90,000.
Committee to look at long-term needs for county
The first meeting of the honorary committee for the future of the library met Thursday in the Barbara Memorial Room of the San Benito County Free Library.
In the week before the meeting, which was held after the Pinnacle’s press time, County Librarian Nora Conte talked about some of the things she hoped would come out of it.
“I am a firm believer that if you don’t plan, nothing happens and everything starts with people wanting to look into the future,” Conte said. “We are wanting to plan for the future and one thing that is very crucial to a community is a vibrant library.”
Conte said the estimated population in San Benito County in 2030 will be 90,000.
“Even though times are difficult we should not let that be an obstacle to start planning for the future,” she said.
The current library building on the corner of Fifth and West streets was built in the 1960s, when the population was about 15,000 residents, Conte said.
“Library usage was very different in the ’60s from what it is today,” she said.
The Thursday night meeting was the first of what Conte hopes will be many that will move the library forward. She said the planning is now in preliminary stages, and they are hoping to get input from residents, county and city administrators, and other stakeholders so that they can start to create partnerships and conduct feasibility studies.
“I am really thrilled that folks are stepping up to the plate and wanting to be a part of what could be a very historical meeting for us,” Conte said.
Conte said county supervisors Anthony Botelho and Margie Barrios planned to attend, and others had been invited as well.
She cited past collaborations that allowed the library to go wireless with its computers, the purchase of a bookmobile and the increase in literacy classes and other programs offered at the library.
“We were able to do that with planning and working with lots of groups – the Friends (of the San Benito County Library), businesses that have helped us, E-Cubed and a smattering of others,” Conte said. “That dream was put on the table, planned, organized, and we made it happen.”
The staff now has a bookmobile that travels as far south as Panoche Valley and the literacy program has 32 active learners as well as 14 more on the waiting list. Some of the outreach programs offered at the library included a homework club, workshops on computer literacy and a campaign to increase the number of residents who have a library card.
One of the key focuses of the committee will be to look at space needs.
“We’ve done some significant upgrades, through smaller types of furniture that allows mobility,” Conte said. “Plus, we do have wireless (Internet), which we did not have when I first came here.”
While the committee will mostly be looking at the long-term needs of the library, Conte said she does have a couple short-term goals in mind.
The first is installing self-check machines, which were first introduced in 1992. Other libraries, such as the Gilroy Library, have had them for years. The machines scan a user’s library card and then each book so that a librarian does not need to check out the materials.
“The reason we want to have it is because it will help staff be able to help the public,” she said. “In reference, with job applications, filling out forms. It maximizes your staffing levels. We need that technology in place.”
The other focus will be on looking at ways to increase the amount of space available for the library, which includes the front area that is open to the public, staff offices and a space in the back that is used by the staff.
“There are days when every chair and table and work station is being used,” Conte said. “Folks are waiting for a place to sit down or use a computer.”
She said by reconfiguring some of the functions, and perhaps removing a wall, they might be able to open more space up for visitors.
“All of us are the stakeholders in this,” Conte said. “We really get the benefit of the investment to having a vibrant library. We can all benefit from it – children, teens, grandparents and parents.”
Conte also encourages locals to join the Friends of the Library, which last year won a national award for their efforts.
“It is a fun group, and we are looking at exciting things in the future,” Conte said.
To find out more about the Friends of the Library or upcoming Honorary Committee for the Future of the Library meetings, call 636-4107.
Upcoming events
The library staff will be hosting workshops on how to use Facebook March 17 and 24 at 10 a.m. See the library Web site at www.sanbenitofl.org for all scheduled activities, which include story times, the homework club and other events.
Champagne Tea and White Elephant auction
The Women’s Club of Hollister and The Friend’s of the Library will be hosting a Champagne Tea and White Elephant Auction to benefit book purchases at the library March 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club, Oaks Room. Price of admission is $30 plus a white elephant treasure for the silent auction. For more information, call Gayle Jackson at 638-1068 or June Hockenberry at 628-9594.
