Our
South
County
Libraries
If you don’t have a library
card, or you have one but
don’t use it, you are
missing out.
Written By Robin Shepherd
G
one are the days of drafty buildings, musty bookshelves
and stern-faced librarians who glared if you uttered
so much as a whisper. Our local public libraries in
Gilroy and Morgan Hill are shining examples of what a modern
community library should be.
Both libraries are part of the Santa Clara County Library
District, which provides county residents with access to nearly
two million items in a variety of languages. All this awesome
content is available FREE through the district’s online system
or at your local library checkout counter. The staffs of both
libraries are not only friendly, but always on hand to answer
questions.
“I’m always amazed at the variety of questions we get from
visitors,” said Peggy Tomasso, Community Librarian at Morgan
Hill Library. “One day a man called us in search of information
on how to repair his vintage car. We were able to steer him to
the right resource. It’s the kind of thing that makes our work
fun, helping people find answers and learn new things.”
Books are available in print, audio or ebook form. Along
with books, the district collection includes magazines, movies,
music, games, and more.
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
You can bring your own device to the library and take
advantage of free WiFi service or use library computer work-
stations that are Internet-connected and loaded with popular
applications. Additional workstations for the vision-impaired
are available at both facilities.
Responsive and Relevant
A glance at either library’s event calendar reveals a full
schedule of programs for people of all ages, cultural back-
grounds, personal interests, and levels of literacy.
According to Lani Yoshimura, Gilroy’s Community
Librarian, “People look to our libraries as a place to gather
and interact.”
You can join a book discussion group, engage in craft
making and cooking workshops, hear a lecture, attend a class,
get online tutoring, join a fitness workout, and the list goes on.
Serving Pre-K to College-bound
South County children get a lift from our libraries. Parents
(and grandparents) find the Storytime program is a great way
MARCH/APRIL 2016
gmhtoday.com