Now that Daylight Savings Time has ended, many of us spend more time indoors. There are few indoor activities better than reading, and there are few places better to find good books to read than our local libraries.
The Westside is fortunate to have a local branch library in each of the four cities The Westside Express serves. The branches in Los Banos, Dos Palos and Santa Nella are served by the Merced County Library. The branch in Firebaugh is served by the Fresno County Library.
The Express makes it a point to publish the Library Corner every week, so that readers can know what’s going on in each library. The library techs in Los Banos and Dos Palos send to this newspaper a schedule of events that we include in the Library Corner, and the Firebaugh library provides a link to its events online.
Perceptive readers who peruse the Library Corner notice that there is much more in our local libraries than books (although that’s my favorite reason for visiting a library) and there is more to do than read.
You will notice events in the Library Corner for patrons of all ages, including Tiny Tales and Bilingual Storytimes for young children, programs about reptiles and magic for older children, crafts for teenagers and activities like button making for adults. And there are family events, too, like family movie days and family Lego fun.
Not long ago many people thought libraries were an endangered species and were headed for extinction, especially since it seemed that for many people, especially young people, reading books was a thing of the past. And those who still read could buy books online so easily.
But that prediction was wrong. Local public libraries still remain vibrant and thriving.
I am most familiar with the Los Banos Branch of the Merced County Library, since I’m a member of the Friends of the Los Banos Library and get updates on library activities and usage at our quarterly meetings. At the last meeting in September, the techs at that library, Alondra Lara and Wendy Diaz-Rodriguez, reported on how much the Los Banos library was used from June to early August. I was surprised at how many people came to the library.
The number of participants in the library’s Tiny Tales StoryTime and Crafts events for children 6 years old and under totaled 332. The number of young people ages 7 to 12 who participated in the E&M Reptile event came to 261. And more than 68 teenagers participated in events for their age group.
Even more amazing, it seemed to me, was the fact that from May to early September, according to the staff report, the number of new library cards issued totaled 556.
Yes, our local public libraries are being used. Much of the credit goes to the county library directors, especially Merced County’s Amy Taylor. And even more credit goes to the friendly and helpful library staff including Alondra and Wendy in Los Banos and Joan Bowers in Dos Palos.
When I walk into the Los Banos branch of the Merced County Library, I feel welcome and sense other patrons in the building feel the same way. And the library has a bright and colorful interior, an inviting place to visit.
Public libraries have been an important part of American life since the United States became a country. And no wonder. A solid democracy is based on a well-informed public, and public libraries have been an essential part of the process since 1776 and before.
So as the days get shorter and the evenings get longer, I suggest using some of that time in your local public library and then checking out books to take home and read. Such a practice, too, is the ultimate in “green” and inclusive living. There is no packaging to throw in the trash, as well as no cost to read. Anyone of any income can benefit.
And as I have told my children and grandchildren, and now my great-grandchildren, “Readers are leaders,” and “If you want to succeed, you need to read!”
On another note: Congratulations to the Los Banos Veterans for another successful Veterans Parade on Nov. 2. Thanks to the work of Parade Chairperson Patricia McCoy and the many veterans who helped her, the parade was smooth and efficient and drew a large crowd of spectators along the way. Thanks to all who entered the parade, especially the Los Banos schools who participated. And the local American Legion Auxiliary had a very successful breakfast, as well.
One final note: I wrote this column for the Nov. 6 issue of The Westside Express well before the results of the Nov. 5 election were known. It is my fervent wish that, regardless of the results, we can all find ways to work together, find common ground and serve the public interest.
John Spevak’s email is john.spevak@gmail.com.
