Library Corner

Libraries across the country got some buzz in the news recently when the results from a new Gallup poll were released showing that Americans visited public libraries more times than movie theaters in 2019.

And it wasn’t just movie theaters. Library visits far exceeded any other leisure activity polled, including live music, theatrical events, national or historic parks, museums, casinos, amusement parks and zoos. So how are libraries staying relevant in a time marked by increasingly accessible digital content? Why do most Americans step through the doors of a library nearly once a month on average?

It might be because of the programs and services for children, “tweens,” and teens. Last week, we hosted an “After Valentine’s Day Party” for tweens (we might never get all of the glitter out of the carpet…), and this week found us talking about emotions at preschool story time (preschoolers have all the feelings, just ask them).

Third-graders and up can ride the bus to any of our 12 after-school activities every month. We also visit every local elementary student in their classroom three times a year to share coding and robotics activities. Plus, we have science and math experiment bags for preschoolers, board games and puzzles for kids, and homework resources for everyone.

It might be because we’re an information hub.

Need to find information about a long-lost relative? Stop by the library. Need a tax form? Stop by the library. Need three resources about the pros and cons of automation in the workplace for a report that’s due tomorrow that you left until the last minute? Stop by the library.

We’re here to answer questions or point you in the direction of someone who can. And we’ll soon unveil our Health Kiosk to help provide better access to health and wellness information from reputable sources (so you can stop consulting Dr. Google).

It might be because we’re building community. You’re just as likely to find us working outside the library as in it these days.

We’ll soon be hosting “digitization parties” throughout the area where you can get your family photos and documents scanned and added to our online Adams County Community Archive (https://www.washingtonruralheritage.org), and we’re already gearing up for the summer with a kickoff party with “Cecil the Magician” on July 6. This fall, we’ll also be teaming up with the hospital and Extension office to offer “From Harvest to Health” highlighting health services and healthy local producers.

And if you love gardening and want to help at the library’s Learning Garden this summer, contact me for more information at [email protected].

It might be because we’re more than just books. Did you know that in addition to the almost 10,000 books spread across the shelves of our three branches and the 46,700 eBooks on our digital shelves, we also check out magazines, DVDs, music CDs, a CD player, XBOX games, fishing poles, baking pans, cookie cutters, a S’mores maker, SAD lamps, puppets, and more? Really, we do.

One of our Facebook followers recently posted that “The things that libraries do that people are unaware of is just amazing!” And it’s true.

We’re no longer shushing patrons and checking out dusty tomes with the threat of overdue fees if not promptly returned. Our world is constantly evolving and libraries are changing right along with it to meet the needs of you, our community.

To our loyal library-corner readers, we’d love to hear why you love your library. And if you haven’t been to the library in a while, stop by – you might be surprised by what we have to offer.

— Kylie Fullmer is the library director. Email her at [email protected].