When was the last time you saw a library card catalog? For those of you who may not be familiar with one, a card catalog is what we used to search for library books and resources before the existence of the online catalog. These were large sets of drawers filled with index cards that were searchable by author, title or subject and displayed information on where to locate a certain book on the shelf.
If you were born after 1995 you probably have no idea what I am talking about, but trust me, this is how we used to do things. Although the tools have changed over time, one thing has remained true: Libraries, such as our Santa Clarita Public Library, are a great source for free information and resources.
The Santa Clarita Public Library has what you need for your next adventure, whether that is diving into a world of science fiction, getting a passport for your trip abroad, learning how to use a 3D printer, or simply getting homework help.
In addition to the many tangible resources available at your local library branch, such as books, DVDs and computers, I hope you are also tapping into our most valuable resource: our city librarians!
No matter what you are looking for, our many librarians would love to be your “Destination Agent,” guiding you to achieve your goal. In fact, the professionals hired to work for the Santa Clarita Public Library must meet many high standards – not only do we expect them to be intelligent and resourceful, they also need a passion for helping others access and explore information.
In addition, each staff member is an expert in various fields of interest. While one may be skilled in finding the best information on local history, the other may be very passionate and knowledgeable about career resources.
For this reason, I highly encourage anyone who has not visited one of our libraries to stop by to say hello, or better yet, attend an upcoming open house.
As part of Library Week (April 7 through 13), the Santa Clarita Public Library will be hosting open houses at each of its branches in Canyon Country, Old Town Newhall and Valencia. This is a great opportunity for you to get a behind-the-scenes library tour, meet the staff, have some cookies and milk, and participate in fun crafts.
The Valencia Library is located at 23743 Valencia Blvd., and will have its open house on Tuesday, April 9, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library is located at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, and will host an open house on Wednesday, April 10, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Old Town Newhall Library is located at 24500 Main St., and will host an open house on Thursday, April 11, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
I hope you can make it out to one of the open houses. The transition to online catalogues and websites has made it convenient enough for you to stay at home, or be on the go while accessing needed resources. However, if that’s all you do with your library card, you are missing out on a great experience for you and your family to connect with others in the community. Come in to your local branch to discover all the learning and enrichment opportunities available at your Santa Clarita Public Library!
To learn more, please visit SantaClaritaLibrary.com.
Bill Miranda is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council and can be reached at [email protected].
