Our libraries and Measure S
Posted by Pam Arnsberger
on May 05, 2016
Announcements and Reminders
Tomorrow night (May 6th) is the Rotary Annual Fundraiser, a roast for our retiring Congressman Sam Farr. It begins at 5:30 at Aptos Seascape. There are great silent auction items including motel stays, a wine wheelbarrow, a pontoon boat ride, a tour and lunch at Big Creek Lumber.
Delta Charter High School is having its first annual fundraiser May 25th at Sesnon House on theCabrillo Campus.
Our Rotary Club will be honored for the score board we donated by retiring supervisor Henry Castaneda at New Brighton Middle School at 3:30 next Tuesday.
Still need signups for the American Music festival on Memorial Day Weekend.
Pam Goodman introduced Janis O’Driscoll, our speaker today. She is the interim director at Santa Cruz Public Libraries who spoke to us about the library system. She began by saying a new permanent director will come on board in June.
Pam Goodman introduced Janis O’Driscoll interim director at Santa Cruz Public Libraries who spoke to us about the library system. She began by saying a new permanent director will come on board in June.
Ms. O’Driscoll gave us some background on our library system. It has 10 branches, a bookmobile and a virtual services branch. It serves 219,000 people in northern SC County from past Davenport in the north down to the border of Freedom. There are 2 million circulations a year including ‘hard’ books, e-books or downloaded video. There are 223,000 titles in their collections (including electronic or virtual items). They also provide 2300 programs a year people of all ages. They saw 45,000 people just in the programs alone… or 67 programs a week. Programs vary including helping seniors learn to use I-PADS and kids learning to play chess.
Ms. O’Driscoll said every one of the libraries has renovations needs. They have signed a contract for a broader faster bandwidth which will go into effect the 1st part of July, thus each branch will need to rewired and recabled. They serve families and individuals who can’t afford computer or wi-fi at home. Their goal is to bring everyone in to the 21st century.
A member of Friends of the Libraries spoke to us about Measure “S” which will be used for these renovations. These will include new roofs, story-telling space for kids, book clubs for adults, science programs, new bathrooms and a new building in Felton. Capitola also needs a new building which will be partially funded by redevelopment money. The Aptos branch needs to be remodeled to expand. Each area will take the lead in its own jurisdiction for how the money is used for its branch library. She asked us to spread the word about Measure “S”. It will be on the ballot in June and will add $49.50 to property taxes per residential parcel.
See www.ourLibrariesOurfuture.org for more information on how to help by volunteering or to donate money.