40
April 2015
Opinion
Read along to see the benefits of library visits BY DENNY BARNEY
How long has it been since you’ve visited your local public library? If it has been a while, “keep reading” and find out what you have been missing. Public libraries were established to DENNY BARNEY: encourage literacy Gilbert resident within the general and member of the population. This Maricopa County is still relevant; Board of Supervisors. Maricopa County has a 12 percent illiteracy rate. But there is an obvious shift occurring. The libraries you remember when you were a kid have changed. A lot. Overdrive, Freegal, Rocket Languages, OneClickDigital, Gale eBooks—these are the materials in demand in Maricopa County. The libraries now must fill the literacy gap and bridge the digital divide. We have 17 libraries in Maricopa County where more than 250,000 people visit each month to check-out materials, rent rooms and participate in classes and workshops. Many are children. Just like when your parents would take you to the library—many of the same programs still
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exist—summer reading programs are a hit even today. But our libraries have changed with the times and the offerings to kids and teens have evolved as well. Kids can check out a book, join a selfguided science class or a Crazy 8s Math Club. It’s harder to lure teenagers to a library, but activities like the Teen Video Challenge and classes on Zentangle (go ahead, “Google” it) have kept the inbetweeners engaged. Yet the library serves adults too, bridging the wants of a younger generation and the needs of their elders. The library’s shift into digital mediums has served our adult community in three very important ways: access, ability and affinity. Access: We think the Internet is everywhere. But there are those constituents who rely on our libraries for computer and internet access. Many are not just searching for recreational purposes, but are researching employment opportunities. In this way, our libraries provide economic opportunities. Ability: Many older adults who might have access to technology don’t know how to use it. Learning how to download an app or an e-book or just browse the Internet can be an intimidating prospect.
www.GilbertSunNews.com self-publishing, critiquing films, learning Spanish and researching genealogy, which bring people together. Chances are there is a local library group that meets on something that interests you. Search your local branch’s events calendar. Clearly libraries have evolved, but their mission has stayed the same. Libraries are pillars of a democratic society, educating the populace and creating opportunities that promote equality. We hope you will visit yours soon! For help getting a library card: www.mcldaz.org/help/default. aspx#getcard.
If you know someone that could use this kind of assistance, let them know about the following: Robson Library (Sun Lakes)—Download an E-book One-On-One Help. This class is exactly as it sounds. Southeast Regional (Gilbert)—One-onOne Digital. Attendees get personal one-on-one instruction browsing digital catalogs, accessing and using the Internet and basic computer training. Perry Library (Chandler)—Get to Know Your Device: Apple. Attendees can learn basic functions and features of Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and their iPad or iPhone. Perry Library also member of the Maricopa County Board of has classes such as “Don’t Know Much Supervisors. About: Twitter.” Queen Creek Library— Teen Tech Experts. Volunteer teenagers help adult learners use the computer and impart their digital know-how. Affinity: Public libraries also offer residents a chance to connect with their neighbors. Aside from courses to improve your tech-acumen, there are a variety of interest Our libraries have changed with the times and the offerings to kids and teens have evolved as well. group classes, such as
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