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Library breaks away from dungeon reputation
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| Patrons surf the Web on the Joshua Tree library’s eight new computers Saturday morning. |
By Jutta Biggerstaff / Hi-Desert Star
JOSHUA TREE — In the old days libraries were serious places in which stern librarians in sensible shoes preached the Dewey Decimal System and perpetually shushed their patrons. While the Dewey Decimal System remains in place, many other things about libraries have changed, at least in Joshua Tree.
Friend of the Library Rick Beatty said the Joshua Tree library is a fun place to laugh and learn.
“It’s no longer ‘Sssshhhhh’ in the library,” he said.
On the contrary, the library bustled with activity and echoed with excited voices Saturday as visitors and dignitaries checked out renovations to the branch that were completed last week. The library was closed for two weeks this month while the facility was remodeled. Renovations included new paint and carpet, and the floor plan was rearranged to maximize floor space.
Visitors got their faces painted, heard stories from Mother Goose and participated in raffles.
Beatty said he’s been telling people for years the library, which opened in 1983, was like a small, dark dungeon.
“We wanted to get the branch remodeled because it really did look like a dungeon,” he said. “The walls and carpet were dark, and shelves were blocking the windows, adding to the dark atmosphere.”
The rededication included a ribbon-cutting and speeches by county officials, including Bruce Davis, chief of staff for Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, Assemblyman Paul Cook and county librarian Ed Kieczykowski.
Davis said libraries are an investment for the future.
“On the one hand, we can build soccer fields and libraries, or on the other hand we can build detention centers,” he said. “We’d rather do this.”
Judging from visitors’ reactions, the most popular aspect of the library renovation was the new computers. All the library’s previous six computers were replaced and two were added. A second circulation computer was added as well.
Computer usage and Internet access are an increasingly popular library resource for the community, Beatty said, and often lines to the computers are long.
“There’s some after-school times when it’s just nuts,” he said.
The rededication ceremony also included the symbolic presentation of a $5,000 check from the Friends of Joshua Tree Library, money that partially paid for the renovations. The rest of the money, about half, came from the county, Beatty said.
The Friends of the Joshua Tree Library participate in fund-raisers all year to support library services to the community. The library’s video rental fees go to the Friends, and the group holds twice-yearly book sales in the spring and fall.
These efforts garner about $7,000 per year and help to fund the summer children’s programs, among other activities.
Sandra Kaye, from Joshua Tree, said she patronizes the library routinely and especially values its online acquisition feature that allows patrons to order books from home and pick them up later at the library. She said the remodeled branch looked great.
“I walked in and said, ‘How’d they make it bigger?’” she said. “It’s much lighter, and I think it looks great. The computers are also a great asset. It’s so important that kids have an opportunity to use computers now.”
The remodeling of the library was only one of several project the Friends are involved with funding. The group was also instrumental in adding Saturday hours to the branch. Now, in addition to being open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the library is open half a day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. But the Saturday hours are only for a year’s trial, Beatty said.
“Already our circulation numbers are indicating that it’s a good idea, and the trial will probably be continued,” he said. “But it’s important for people to remember if we don’t use the library Saturdays, it won’t be open next year.”
While Beatty is pleased with the renovations, the Friends are already planning a new, much more ambitious project.
“The third major project, and it’s a big one: we want a new branch,” he said. “I want a whole new building.”
That project involves a debate about where to put the new building, but that, Beatty maintained, is contingent upon who they can talk into giving them some land, at least half an acre.
In the meantime, children will not be silenced and their laughter will not be stifled in the Joshua Tree library.
“When we have kids’ programs, we invite them to be as loud as they need to be,” Beatty said. “We want them in here giggling and laughing to the fullest extent.”
Friend of the Library Rick Beatty said the Joshua Tree library is a fun place to laugh and learn.
“It’s no longer ‘Sssshhhhh’ in the library,” he said.
On the contrary, the library bustled with activity and echoed with excited voices Saturday as visitors and dignitaries checked out renovations to the branch that were completed last week. The library was closed for two weeks this month while the facility was remodeled. Renovations included new paint and carpet, and the floor plan was rearranged to maximize floor space.
Visitors got their faces painted, heard stories from Mother Goose and participated in raffles.
Beatty said he’s been telling people for years the library, which opened in 1983, was like a small, dark dungeon.
“We wanted to get the branch remodeled because it really did look like a dungeon,” he said. “The walls and carpet were dark, and shelves were blocking the windows, adding to the dark atmosphere.”
The rededication included a ribbon-cutting and speeches by county officials, including Bruce Davis, chief of staff for Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, Assemblyman Paul Cook and county librarian Ed Kieczykowski.
Davis said libraries are an investment for the future.
“On the one hand, we can build soccer fields and libraries, or on the other hand we can build detention centers,” he said. “We’d rather do this.”
Judging from visitors’ reactions, the most popular aspect of the library renovation was the new computers. All the library’s previous six computers were replaced and two were added. A second circulation computer was added as well.
Computer usage and Internet access are an increasingly popular library resource for the community, Beatty said, and often lines to the computers are long.
“There’s some after-school times when it’s just nuts,” he said.
The rededication ceremony also included the symbolic presentation of a $5,000 check from the Friends of Joshua Tree Library, money that partially paid for the renovations. The rest of the money, about half, came from the county, Beatty said.
The Friends of the Joshua Tree Library participate in fund-raisers all year to support library services to the community. The library’s video rental fees go to the Friends, and the group holds twice-yearly book sales in the spring and fall.
These efforts garner about $7,000 per year and help to fund the summer children’s programs, among other activities.
Sandra Kaye, from Joshua Tree, said she patronizes the library routinely and especially values its online acquisition feature that allows patrons to order books from home and pick them up later at the library. She said the remodeled branch looked great.
“I walked in and said, ‘How’d they make it bigger?’” she said. “It’s much lighter, and I think it looks great. The computers are also a great asset. It’s so important that kids have an opportunity to use computers now.”
The remodeling of the library was only one of several project the Friends are involved with funding. The group was also instrumental in adding Saturday hours to the branch. Now, in addition to being open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the library is open half a day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. But the Saturday hours are only for a year’s trial, Beatty said.
“Already our circulation numbers are indicating that it’s a good idea, and the trial will probably be continued,” he said. “But it’s important for people to remember if we don’t use the library Saturdays, it won’t be open next year.”
While Beatty is pleased with the renovations, the Friends are already planning a new, much more ambitious project.
“The third major project, and it’s a big one: we want a new branch,” he said. “I want a whole new building.”
That project involves a debate about where to put the new building, but that, Beatty maintained, is contingent upon who they can talk into giving them some land, at least half an acre.
In the meantime, children will not be silenced and their laughter will not be stifled in the Joshua Tree library.
“When we have kids’ programs, we invite them to be as loud as they need to be,” Beatty said. “We want them in here giggling and laughing to the fullest extent.”
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GGWebGrrl wrote on Jan 17, 2009 1:59 PM: