Erie County libraries celebrate lifelong learning

Mark Wandrey, 60, of Traverse City, Michigan, spends time in the library reading a book on the history of Erie at the Blasco library in Erie on April 3. JARID A. BARRINGER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

What's a public library?


If you answered "a place where you can borrow books," you'd be about half right.


Erie County public libraries are also places to use a free computer, or learn how to use a computer for free. They're places for small children to learn to love books, and for adults to discover new skills and interests.


At libraries babies can learn sign language, students and adults can find microfiche of old newspapers and obituaries -- treasure troves for people tracing their heritage and local history.


Libraries fill a corner of cyberspace where you can find e-books, music, learn a language, reserve a best seller. Readers can go to the library to learn how to find and download all of the same.


Book-club members can check out a gym bag full of copies of one title, so members don't all have to buy them before the next meeting.


For many, the library is also a bus filled with books brought close to their homes. It's a place to meet zoo animals, hear concerts played by members of the Erie Philharmonic, and even touch and hold their instruments.


Don't have a fishing pole? All you need is a library card to "check out" poles, tackle and flotation devices for anglers, thanks to a donation from the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie.


Try getting a hold of free family passes to visit the Erie Art Museum.


It's all free.


Well, except best sellers and DVDs. They are a whopping 50 cents apiece.


 


Turning the pages


National Library Week, first celebrated in 1958, starts today and runs through Saturday. The American Library Association will use the week to recognize the roles of school libraries, library workers, bookmobiles and teen literature. The 2013 State of America's Libraries Report will be released Monday.


Previous reports have issued some depressing news about public financing for libraries, but there's reason for optimism. While the libraries used to be the only game in town when it came to books, records and research, a lot has changed.


"In many ways the Internet is stepping in as a resource that the library used to exclusively be," said Mary Rennie, acting library director. "Of course the library will always be about books, but people want more than that."


Outreach services manager Marcy Hall said one of her goals is to help link people who enjoy the same things.


"It's kind of like Facebook but with real people," she said with a laugh.


Hall pointed to the library's Senior Days, as an example. The days have included health talks, a visit from zoo animals, plays, and drawing classes given by library clerk Peggy Grayson.


"We usually get 15 to 30 people" for those programs Hall said. "That opened a new door."


"The drawing class was so popular, that we wound up having three classes instead of just one, and I still have a list of people who want to do this."


 


Kid stuff


Six toddlers sat wiggling on a blue rug inside the children's library at Blasco Library.


Class leader Valarie Kane held up a copy of "Where's Spot?" and soon kids were making animal sounds prompted by each page.


Then they were stumped by a turtle. What kind of noise does he make? It's hard to believe the amount of noise that six toddlers can make until you ask them to imagine turtle sounds.


After that a restless boy with red hair started squirming in his mother's arms. It was time to make lamb puppets.


It's hard to find a library that doesn't have story times designed for preschoolers and toddlers. Blasco even welcomes babies from 6- to 18-months-old to a session titled "Baby Bounce," a 20-minute class that includes songs and a short story.


The library recently worked with WQLN to host a birthday celebration for Clifford the Big Red dog, a popular character in children's literature.


"We had 800 people out the door," Hall said. "We had celebrity readers, one of whom had to wait 45 minutes to get in."


Children and young adults also enjoy summer reading programs. The library visits public housing to give kids who live there access to books and reading.


Speaking of kids, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Blasco also will welcome children to read to Annie, a golden retriever. Annie doesn't correct children or stop them. She just allows them to practice reading. Annie's owner will answer questions, no registration required. Edinboro Public Library will host a similar program Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.


 


Lifelong learners


With all of this going on for Erie County children, Hall said she's also trying to pull readers from every age group to inspire lifelong learners.


"The library picks up where school leaves off," she said. "You can only go to school for so long, and learn so much while you're there. We see it as part of our role to spur your special interest."


Sue Walk, 59, said she visits the Millcreek library branch or the bookmobiles, from which she borrows cookbooks. Online, she downloads music and scans the electronic "stacks" for new books.


"I try to learn something new every day," Walk said. "You really have to, so you don't lose your mind."


Chris Pennsy, 40, said her love affair with the library started when she was about 10 years old.


"My library card was one of the first things I got as a kid, and it started me on the path toward independence," she said. "I could take my card with my name on it -- not my parents' -- and select books at the local library and get them out on my own."


Now Pennsy combs the library's website and displays for recommended fiction and best sellers.


"I can search for books online in their system and place a hold electronically and specify what library I'd prefer to pick it up," she said. "In a week or two, I get an e-mail saying my book is ready for pickup.


Pennsy also signed up to get an electronic newsletter that lets her know when new books are available.


Even Internet-savvy library lovers like Pennsy and Walk still rely on help from librarians.


Kim Trott, 57, uses the library's website to reserve copies of titles she needs to read for her book club. She also visits a bricks and mortar branch.


"I love the shelf labeled 'staff favorites,'" Trott said. "If a librarian thinks it's a good book, there's a good chance I'm going to like it, too."


She considers herself a lifelong learner.


"I feel like I'm always learning something new," she said. "I read about the Holocaust in 'Sarah's Key,' and as I was reading, I said 'Wow, I did not know that.'"


Marianne Shannon, 80, wants nothing to do with e-readers or computers, but she'll never let go of her interest in the Civil War, which she cultivates with the help of a librarian at Lincoln Community Center's library.


"She likes the same kind of books that I do," Shannon said. "She says, 'Here's a list of stuff. Do you want any of these?'"


That kind of help means that despite the rise of the Internet, librarians aren't going anywhere.


"Everyone I have met at the library has been helpful," said Charlene Popson, 62. "I think the people are my favorite service."


That's exactly what Hall wants to hear.


"Our goal is not just to provide books, but provide access and information through a person, instead of letting people flounder around on their own," Hall said.


 


Looking back


The public library remains the best source for local history. The Heritage Room at Blasco includes decades-old newspapers on microfiche, school yearbooks, obituaries and other texts.


"We wind up with visitors from 48 of the 50 states to the Heritage Room," Rennie said. "The obituaries are some of the most-used resources in the library."


"The Heritage Room keeps rare books under lock and key," said Esther Malaspina, 84. "Special requests are required to view them.


"Simply reading the book titles on the shelves is an education in itself."


The library holds regular classes on how to use the Heritage Room, including one just for kids, ages 12 to 17.


"It makes history come alive," Rennie said. "My great-grandmother and her brother came over here when they were teenagers. I tell the kids to imagine how scary that would have been.


"You can almost see the wheels turning in their heads, wondering what that would have been like."


 


New ideas


Hall and other library staff have stacks of other ideas on how to attract more visitors.


They're thinking about a Skype-accessible book club, and an open-mic night for local musicians.


An eight-week class for people who want to take the GED started two weeks ago. One librarian offers knitting classes for six at the Lincoln branch.


It's safe to say that while the Internet has changed the way libraries serve their communities, they're not going away. She estimated that Erie County libraries see 1 million visitors a year.


"We have access to people, and we're working to make connections with those people," Hall said.


"The library is on your way to everywhere."


JENNIE GEISLER can be reached at 870-1885 or by e-mail. Visit her food blog at GoErie.com/blogs/loaves. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/etngeisler.


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