February is Black History Month, and there are a number of opportunities for you and your family to celebrate in the Sacramento area. Here’s a look at just some of the events happening this month!

Quilt Exhibit to Highlight African-American Quilters & Quilts

Sisters Quilting Collective (SQC) will host its second annual quilt exhibit, “A Stitch in Time: The Past, Present and Future,” from February 2 through 28 at The Brickhouse Art Gallery, 2837 36th Street, in Sacramento.

The exhibit will highlight African-American quilters and quilts with a variety of programs, including quilting demonstrations, children’s activities, quilt displays, lectures and film screenings.

For more information, call 916-475-1240 or visit www.thebrickhousegalleryoakpark.com.

Jazz vocalist and recording artist Vivian Lee. Photo courtesy of Vivian Lee.

Free Tribute Concert to Famed Female Jazz Singers

The Sacramento Public Library will present a musical tribute to famed women jazz singers at a free family concert at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 20, in the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria at the Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento.
Jazz vocalist and recording artist Vivian Lee and her quartet will celebrate divas of jazz – Carmen McRea, Billie Holiday, Nancy Wilson and Dinah Washington.  Hear  the music and learn about the lives of these amazing African American women of the jazz world.  The jazz concert is one of numerous Black History Month programs scheduled at Sacramento Public Library locations throughout February.

For more information, call  916-264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org.

Black History Month Family Festival

The Crocker Art Museum will celebrate Black History Month with a showcase of the art, culture, history and traditions of the African Diaspora through its Black History Month Family Festival on Monday, February 18, from 11am-3pm. This free event will feature performances by musical storyteller Asheba, the Vukani Mawethu Choir, and the Sacramento/Black Art of Dance.

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O Street. For more information, call 916-808-7000 or visit www.crockerartmuseum.org.

Sacramento State Celebrates Black History Month

California State University Sacramento is offering a number of programs in celebration of Black History Month.

On February 16, award-winning author Eva Rutland, 95, will lead a discussion about her life from her book, When We Were Colored: A Mother’s Story, at 12 noon in the Union Redwood Room at Sacramento State.

On February 19, representatives from Sacramento State and the California State University system will visit churches in Sacramento’s African-American community to urge young people and their parents to begin planning for college. President Alexander Gonzalez will visit St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at 10 am, and Joseph Sheley, Sacramento State’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will visit St. John Missionary Baptist Church at 10:45 am.

A photo exhibit by Felicenne Ramey, “We Stand On Their Shoulders,” featuring images of elder African Americans, will be on display from February 12 through March 15 at the Sacramento State Library lobby. The exhibit is open during Library hours: 7:15 am-11 pm Monday through Thursday; 7:15 am-7 pm Friday; 8 am-5 pm Saturday; and 11 am-10 pm Sunday.

And Sacramento/Black Art of Dance will celebrate its “20th Anniversary Concert: Past, Present and Future” in the Solano Hall Dancespace. Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 16-18, 24 and 25; 2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26; and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22-23. Tickets are $5-$12 and available at Sac State’s Ticket Office, 916-278-4323 or www.tickets.com.

For more information, call 916-278-6943 or visit www.csus.edu.

Sacramento Library Celebrates Black History Month

Local branches of the Sacramento Public Library are offering a number of programs throughout February to help celebrate Black History Month. Here’s a look at a few – to find more, visit  www.saclibrary.org or call tel:(916) 264-2920.

Find Your Black Ancestors – Genealogy expert Lisa Lee will offer tips of tracing your family’s black history roots on Friday, February 15, at 3 pm at Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, in Sacramento.
The Black Kitchen – Cooking from Our Heritage – Join a discussion about the rich culinary heritage and diverse recipe sources of the African American kitchen on Tuesday, February 19, at 6 pm at the Carmichael Library, 5605 Marconi Avenue.
Tar Beach: Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts with ArtBeast – Hear a reading of Faith Ringgold’s book, Tar Beach, and explore the author’s story quilts celebrating family heritage on Thursday, February 21, at 4 pm at Arcade Library, 2443 Marconi Avenue, in Sacramento.
WaZoBia with Mr. Sunny – WaZoBia means “Come! Come! Come!” in three distinct Nigerian tribal languages and is an invitation of togetherness and unity. Mr. Sunny shares the spirit of Africa with a cultural drum and dance program on Saturday, February 23, at 1:30 pm at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Drive, in Sacramento.
African American Inventors – Magician Forrest Barnes introduces African American inventors who have changed our lives with their remarkable inventions on Saturday, February 23, at 2 pm at McKinley Library, 601 Alhambra Blvd., in Sacramento.

African-American History Tour

“Meet” runaway slaves, Buffalo Soldiers, restaurant owners, deacons and gamblers at the Historic City Cemetery’s African-American History Tour on Saturday, February 23, from 10-11 am.

The Sacramento Historic City Cemetery is located at 1000 Broadway in Sacramento. For more information, call 916-264-7839 or 916-448-0811, or visit www.oldcitycemetery.com.

3 Kings: Black History Month Celebration

Celebrate black history month at The Brickhouse Gallery in Sacramento with live art, poetry and music performances by Destructikonz w/ Algorhythms, Brother Hypnotic, V.S. Chochezi, immoBme, Sean King, NSAA and Russel Cummings on Saturday, February 16 at 8 pm.

The Brickhouse Gallery is located at 2837 36th Street in Sacramento. For more information, call 916-475-1240 or visit www.thebrickhousegalleryoakpark.com.

When Professor Francie Dillon was named Arts Educator of the Year by the Arts & Business Council of Sacramento during an Oct. 12 luncheon, she wasn’t sure how to get her message across in her acceptance speech. So she borrowed lessons from the hokey pokey.
Dillon teaches Literature for Children and has been performing for years at venues such as Fairytale Town and the Sacramento Public  Library, where her shows have been aimed at bringing literature to children.
She has a reputation for throwing herself into her shows, and some of her fans have been very enthusiastic about her performances.  Following one show in front of young children, a 4-year-old came up to her and said, “When it’s time, I think I’ll hire you for my wedding.”
But Dillon has had to curtail many of her activities because of an undiagnosed neurological problem that has affected her mobility and speech. “I was concerned that if I did win, would my body allow me to say what I wanted to say, the way I wanted to say it.”
While approaching the stage, she was helped by Sacramento Business Journal columnist Ed Goldman and found her strength. “It was like the person who lectures and is the entertainer came out, and it all fell into place,” Dillon says.
Noting that her success has occurred through many components, Dillon quoted the hokey pokey to the audience. “When I put my right  hand in, always at the other end has been my family and my friends who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Left hand, right leg and left leg represent Fairytale Town, the library, the Sacramento Bee, and fans young and old. “And when you shake yourself all about, that’s when you acknowledge what it is to be human – the creativity, curiosity and participation in life. That is what it’s all about.”
Dillon was one of three nominees. The others were Art Professor Elaine O’Brien – who also is a Sacramento State instructor – and  Milton Bowens, lead artist in residence at the Twin Rivers Unified School District.
Dillon’s award was one of several given out Oct. 12. For more information, visit www.sacabc.org/programs/prelude-to-the-season/. For media assistance regarding Sacramento State’s arts programs, call the University’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

“Proud Americans: Growing Up As Children of Immigrants.”

Land Park resident Judie Fertig Panneton was born the child of immigrants. Her mother was from Poland and her father was from Holland. Both her parents were also Holocaust survivors.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, all Panneton wanted was to be like all the other American kids and fit in.

“When I was a kid I didn’t want to be a child of immigrants; I didn’t want to have parents that were Holocaust survivors,” she says. “It was very painful to watch my father have a number on his arm and to know there was horror behind it.”

Now years later, Panneton has realized she is proud of the fact she is a child of immigrants, thanks in part to the research she conducted while writing her new book, “Proud Americans: Growing Up as Children of Immigrants.”

Touching Stories
Panneton decided to write “Proud Americans” as she had always felt different and wondered if there were other children of immigrants who felt the same way. Through her journalism background and curiosity, she decided to start interviewing other children of immigrants to see if they had the same feelings.

Over seven years, Panneton interviewed about 50 people for her book, many of which are from Sacramento. For example, she interviewed Board of Supervisors District 2 Representative Jimmie Yee, who in his story talks about how poor his family was growing up. And Tony Xiong, one of 10 children of Laotian immigrants, grew up in a poor Sacramento neighborhood, battled hunger, violence and the lure of gangs who is now training to be a police officer.

“You interview these people and they just become part of you sometimes,” Panneton says about her experience. “I was very touched by a lot of the stories. And I learned from all of them – that was a great part of it too … Not only do I hear these special stories and memories, but I get to learn about history and people’s lives and how they made a go of it.”

Panneton said although many of her book’s subjects come from Sacramento, it wasn’t done on purpose – it just happens that Sacramento is that diverse. In fact, she makes reference to the fact that Sacramento was named the most diverse city in the United States by Time magazine in 2002, and for that reason she asked Mayor Kevin Johnson to write an introduction for her book.

(From left) Author Judie Fertig Panneton poses with “Proud Americans” subject Dorothy Mitsu Takeuchi during a past book signing event. Photo courtesy Judie Panneton.

Spreading the Word
Through her project, Panneton said she has learned that some of the most proud Americans are children of immigrants, and their families really appreciate what America brings to their family.

“I also take away that being a child of immigrants is actually an honor. You just don’t realize it sometimes,” she adds. “There are some people who certainly have embraced it from the moment they were born in the family they’ve been in, but there are others that don’t realize how great it is until they’re older.”

Panneton hopes to spread this message across to others. For instance, she has done talks at California State University, Sacramento and colleges on the East Coast about her book, and has made the book available to some CSUS and high school educators to use in their curriculum.

She may develop “Proud Americans” into a play. As she sees many of these stories as looking through the window of someone’s home, she believes her book would format itself well to theater. “I’m not moving on from this book because it lives in my heart and my soul and I’d still like to build upon it,” she said.

In July, Panneton was part of a presentation of citizenship certificates to 14 new children of immigrants at the Old Schoolhouse in Old Sacramento. “My message to them was you go to school and you’re going to want to fit in with your friends and that’s all good, but remember your parents sacrificed a lot to come to this country, so be proud of them, too,” she says.

To continue spreading the word on what she’s learned, Panneton will be conducting three presentations through the Sacramento Public Library in October – Pocket Greenhaven Library on Oct. 10 from 6:30-8 p.m.; South Natomas Library on Oct. 17 from 7-7:30 p.m.; and Arden Dimick Library on Oct. 20 from 2-3:30 p.m.

For the library events, Panneton plans to have read four to five stories from “Proud Americans” and open up a discussion with attendees. She also hopes to have some of the people from her book attend the library events so attendees can meet them.

“I hope people come to the events at the library because it’s always a great opportunity to form a little community in a room and have really special time spent together sharing ideas and memories,” she says. “I would love to see everybody come out and join together as a community and talk about this great country of ours.”

corrie@valcomnews.com

Since its establishment seven years ago, the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library has reached many milestones.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS. The ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library was held on Aug. 28, 2010. Shown in the photograph from left to right are then-Pocket-Greenhaven Friends fundraising chair Kathi Windheim, Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento Public Library director Rivkah Sass, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Councilmember Robbie Waters, Pocket branch supervisor, Brendle Wells and California State Librarian Stacey Aldrich. / Photo courtesy, Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library

From its earliest times of advocating for what eventually became Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library at 7335 Gloria Drive to replenishing new books and materials on the library’s shelves, the group has maintained an active and growing membership.

Currently the community’s Friends group has 182 memberships – a statistic that ranks it fourth in the number of Friends volunteers within the Sacramento Public Library’s 30 branches.

Although many people have joined the local Friends and are well aware of the group’s purpose, others remain curious about its activities and history.

Vibrant library promotors

The Friends of the Sacramento Public Library is self-described as “a member-supported, nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises and provides critical support for the Sacramento Public Library, branch libraries and related literacy and educational programs.”

New members welcome

Kathi Windheim, president of the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends, said that although the local Friends group has many dedicated and energetic members, the organization is always seeking new members.

“In today’s economy, it is essential to continue to grow the (number of) Friends memberships to keep the programs plentiful and free at our library,” Windheim said. “The goal in annual memberships is for the library’s programs to become sustainable from our membership funds. Memberships are actually quite affordable. For example, a family membership is only $20 a year. We (the Friends board) invite anyone interested in supporting our community library to join.”

Annual memberships are also available at the following levels: $75/patron, $35/business or association; $15/individual and $10/youth.

Applications to join the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends are located in the library’s lobby and can be turned into any of the branch’s librarians.

Early library dream

ARRRR…Dressed as Long John Silver, former Councilmember Robbie Waters leads children into the Pocket Tower of Timeless Tales during the library’s first anniversary celebration on Aug. 27, 2011. / Photo courtesy, Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library

Certainly in highlighting the history of the local Friends group, it is important to begin with its efforts to assist in the establishment the community’s library.

The local Friends group, which was founded on May 4, 2005, originated through the dream of former Councilmember Robbie Waters, who recognized a need for a library in the Pocket-Greenhaven area.

In an interview with this publication, Waters recalled his earliest efforts to have a library established in this community.

“My first day as a city councilman back in 1994 was to try to get a library on that piece of property (where the library is presently located),” Waters said. “The school district at the time wanted that piece of property for a junior high. And so, I worked really hard with them, but I could never get them to do a joint-venture with us, like there is now, until they decided, basically, that there were no more junior highs to speak of in the Sacramento school district. (The trend of the new schools) was K through 8.”

Joint venture

The joint-venture between the adjacent School of Engineering and Sciences and a new library presented an ideal situation, since it is a state law that every school must have a library.

FOL recommended library name

During the process of bringing a library to the community, a name for this future institution was recommended by the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends.

The name, Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library, was submitted and approved by the city council.

In commenting about the library’s name, Waters said, “It’s the most humbling thing that’s happened to me other than the birth of my kids and my 52 years of marriage. To have something named after me before I pass was very, very humbling.”

Friends campaign for library

In discussing the efforts to bring a library to the Pocket-Greenhaven community, Windheim recalled that after four years of presenting information about the library at government and neighborhood meetings, conducting fundraisers and gathering community support, a groundbreaking for the library was finally held on May 30, 2008.

Community effort

BOOK LOVERS. Guests attend the annual Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library book sale at the Elks lodge parking lot in April 2006. / Photo courtesy, Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library

“During the four years before the groundbreaking, we went through a series of meetings with the city council and school board to talk about the joint-use library and school and the roles of the different partners,” Windheim said. “We had (an artistic) rendering of the library and a portfolio. Importantly, during those four years, we had the full support of then-Senator Darrell Steinberg, Assembly member Dave Jones and Ralph Pettingell, the director of the city’s park and recreation department. We also had an annual book sale at the Elks lodge (on Riverside Boulevard), where they let us use the parking lot for free, and their grand ballroom for our ‘A Novel Idea Dinner’ at no rental cost each fall. Other service clubs and businesses, including the Pocket Rotary and Amy Eddy’s Curves, helped us tremendously. We raised about $65,000 from the book sales, annual dinners and other fundraisers.”

Although Proposition 81 – aka “Californians for Literacy” – a $600 million statewide bond measure to fund library construction, failed to pass in 2006, those working toward the establishment of a Pocket-Greenhaven library had a “Plan B.”

This backup plan included the acquisition of capital improvement program funds from the city, as well as the utilization of district discretionary funds that Waters had saved during his terms in office.

Key volunteers

As the library materialized toward its completion, members of the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends continued to play essential roles in its development.

These early volunteers and board members included Windheim, Dolores Nuse, Janice Marschner, Mary McDonald, Bonnie Bartholomew, Bart Lagomarsino, Denise Watts, Margaret Sutera, Harriet Steiner, Wallis Hofsis, Rebecca Talley, Kathy Donovan and Liz Ehlers.

Also helpful in the drive to establish a library and assist in continuing its progress was a group of student representatives. These students were: Britany Hori, Courtney Hori, Olivia Kirkland, Katie Wong, Scott Newman, Christine Highstreet, Kenji Bennett and Anthony Fukuhara.

The library held its grand opening, which included a ribbon cutting ceremony with Waters cutting the ribbon, on Aug. 28, 2010.

A dedicated group

In reflecting upon the contributions of the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends, Waters praised the organization’s dedication to the library.

“The Friends group has done such an outstanding job since they formed,” Waters said. “They were a big help in getting the funding and (presenting) the different ideas they had, the suggestions, and we met on many occasions and we just kind of talked strategy, talked fundraising, etc. etc. We are very happy with what they’ve done. The advancements they have made and the hard work that has been put into it by all of the Friends and the increase in members over the years has been outstanding.”

For additional information regarding the Pocket-Greenhaven Friends of the Library, contact Kathi Windheim at (916) 392-0101 or write to the e-mail address jo@recessisover.com.

lance@valcomnews.com

All Sacramento Public Library locations will be closed Friday, May 18; Friday, June 15; and Friday, June 29, due to staff furloughs. The Library’s telephone information service will be unavailable during these closures.

FURLOUGH FRIDAYS will be held at all Sacramento Public Library branches on May 18, June 15 and June 29. Staff furloughs will result in the closure of the libraries on those days. / Valley Community Newspapers file photo, Susan Laird

The Library’s governing board recently approved three furlough days between May 1 and June 30, as a cost saving measure due to shortfalls in County property tax revenues and funding reductions from the City of Sacramento.

“Funding shortfalls have left the library with few choices to maintain services to the public,” said Library Director Rivkah Sass. The library was faced with either laying off 15 to 18 staff, necessitating the permanent closure of as many as three locations; or furloughing staff, requiring temporary one-day closures of the whole system. “We believe furloughs are a better outcome, especially for those communities that would have faced the permanent closure of their neighborhood library,” Sass indicated.

Sacramento Public Library’s website (www.saclibrary.org) is available 24/7. Visitors can access the Library’s catalog, apply for a library card, request and renew items, download eBooks, audio books and videos, use the research databases, pay fines, and see event and programming information. Call (916) 264-2920 with any additional questions.

Make strides in the quest to find and document the lives of your ancestors at a special adult program at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

FIND YOUR ROOTS at a special adult program, “Tracing Your Black Roots” at the Robbie Waters Greenhaven-Pocket Library on Feb. 25. / Photo iStockphoto

“Tracing Your Black Roots” will show you many resources that are available when researching your heritage. Learn to take advantage of these tools with professional genealogist Lisa B. Lee.

Locate your ancestors so you can be the family storyteller of your generation!

The Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library is located at 7335 Gloria Drive in Sacramento. For more information, call (916) 264-2700 or visit www.saclibrary.org.

Here’s something you may not know about Sacramento: the capital city is among 18 medium-sized US cities identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a hub for human trafficking.

Sacramento is among the top cities experiencing an epidemic of child prostitution, according to the nonprofit refugee resettlement agency Opening Doors. The agency’s Website said an estimated 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across international boundaries every year, and some 14,500-17,500 people are trafficked into the US.

Modern slavery

HUMAN TRAFFICKING, or modern slavery, exists in every part of Sacramento. The members of Soroptimist International of Sacramento South (SISS) donated books on this issue to the Sacramento Library, which did not have any literature on this issue prior to the donation. / Photo courtesy, Soroptimist International of Sacramento South (SISS)

What is human trafficking? According to Opening Doors it is defined as “modern slavery” – victims as young as 13 and as old as 54, and of both genders, are forced, frauded or coerced into the commercial sex industry, involuntary servitude, debt bondage or slavery.

What makes Sacramento such a hub for human trafficking? Opening Doors said one reason is its large immigrant population. And Kathleen Crone, treasurer of Soroptimist International of Sacramento South (SISS) said it also has to do with Sacramento’s location.

“We’re so centrally located to so many freeways. If a group has been identified, it’s very easy for whoever is in charge of this group to get them out of Sacramento quickly,” Crone said. “And (it’s) then easy access to Reno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles – it’s just kind of the hub of the wheel.”

Lack of information

As ending human trafficking is one of the major programs of Soroptimist International, the South Sacramento chapter was looking for a way to help by educating their members on the subject. As they started the process, however, they soon found that for a city where human trafficking is a problem, the information was not that easy to find.

“I started acquiring some books (on human trafficking) that I passed around to (our) members, but some of them were very expensive that we wanted to read,” said SISS member Dori Holmer. “So I contacted the (Sacramento Public Library) to find out what they had and they had nothing – they had not supplied any human trafficking books to their readers at all. So one of our members suggested: why don’t we buy some books for the library. So we did.”

Books at library

Holmer said SISS presented the Sacramento Public Library with a list of 20 suggested books on human trafficking. SISS chose 10 of those books to purchase and donate to the library system, while the library purchased the other books to add to their collection.

“Any time someone approaches us and they want to donate materials, especially when they are quality materials of a nature that is current and it’s relevant to the community, we want to take those in and make those available to the public,” said Brenda Haggard, strategic communications officer for the Sacramento Public Library.

Travelling display

However, SISS also felt it was important for library patrons to know such books were available. To help spread the word, they asked Sacramento Public Library if they could put up a display about the books and the human trafficking issue and the Library said “Yes.”

A TRAVELLING DISPLAY on human trafficking, also put together by the Soroptimists, is at the Central Library through February. It will travel to five additional libraries in the Sacramento Public Library system during 2012. / Photo courtesy, Soroptimist International of Sacramento South (SISS)

“We felt that we needed some way of letting people know that the books were there and available and to create an interest in reading them,” Holmer said. “We had discovered in talking to people that they are shocked to learn that first of all slavery exists, and second that it exists in Sacramento. So we thought a display would be helpful.”

The books and human trafficking display were officially made available on Jan. 11, which was International Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Haggard said.

“(The display) will be at the Central Library for about a month and then travel to five other libraries in the system over the next few months,” she said.

According to Crone, the display will be moved to the Colonial Heights Library in March, Belle Cooledge Community Library and Martin Luther King, Junior Regional Library in April, and Rancho Cordova Library in May. The display includes information on the human trafficking books, as well as informational sheets, objects that represent trafficking – such as handcuffs and barbed wire – and also posted hotline numbers in the hopes if a trafficked individual happens to see the display they would have access to ways of help, Crone said.

Awareness is first step

Both SISS and the Sacramento Public Library hope both the books and the display will help create awareness around the issue of human trafficking.

“Awareness is always the first step to solving a problem, so providing the information that brings the awareness will be a vehicle to help solve the problem we hope,” Haggard said.

Crone hopes this project may be the beginning of more for SISS, such as possibly utilizing rooms at various libraries to make presentations and other projects to help make hotline numbers more accessible to trafficking victims.

“We hope that we can do a little bit more than just this – it’s really just the beginning of a big problem,” she said.

For more information on SISS, visit http://soroptimistssacramentosouth.com.

Chinese New Year

On Jan. 19, come celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dragon! Chinese dragons traditionally represent strong, good powers, especially with control over water, rainfall, hurricanes and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength and good luck.

This school-age program will be held on Thursday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Make crafts and have your Chinese horoscope read.

The McKinley Park Library is located at 601 Alhambra Boulevard in Sacramento. For additional information, call (916) 264-2700 or visit www.saclibrary.org.

Clergyman and social reformer Henry Ward Beecher once said, “A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.”

HIGH TECH LIBRARY. The Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library offers digital technology and old-fashioned reading help – all at one 21st century, modern facility. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Corrie Pelc

More than 100 years later, Google has made rifling through thick reference materials obsolete, and e-readers allow avid readers to download the latest novel with the click of a button.

Could it be then that the public library is not needed anymore?

Definitely not, says Brendle Wells, branch supervisor of the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library.

“I think people have a very outdated view of libraries – they think of them from their childhood and we’re not about just books anymore,” she says.

Opened in August 2010, the idea for the library took off in 2003, thanks to the efforts of then Sacramento City Councilman Robbie Waters. It took about six years for the Library to be built, according to Kathi Windheim, board member of the Friends of Pocket-Greenhaven Library.

Windheim refers to the Library as the “jewel of the Pocket” and “the hive” of the community.

“The parking lot is full every day when I drive by there,” she says. “I see it as ‘the hive’ with everybody going in and out – the moms taking their kids, the teens with WiFi to meet up, the seniors to check out the latest Lucky Day book. There’s something for everyone and it keeps changing as technology changes.”

Tech friendly

The Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library has embraced technology from the beginning, starting with its modern eco-friendly design featuring numerous electrical outlets and 24/7 WiFi throughout the building. The free wireless Internet access also lets the Library provide a service to the entire community.

“There are a lot of people that do not have Internet access – we provide that free-of-charge,” Wells adds. “They may have a laptop but they can’t get WiFi and we provide that.”

The Library also features 20 public Internet access terminals and when those are all full, library patrons can check out one of 20 netbooks. Wells says the laptop computers are very popular, especially for parents to use while with their young children.

Tech help

For those in need of some technology help, the branch’s “tech guru” Dave provides free one-on-one technology help to anyone who needs it.

“The very first appointment (Dave) had, he helped somebody with no computer skills learn how to fill out a job application online,” Wells says. “He’s helped people with e-readers use them with library books, helped people who just want to learn how to surf the Internet better – just pretty much anything he can help with.”

Technology is also important for the students from the next door School of Engineering & Sciences that frequent the library’s Teen Section after school. The area allows them to socialize, work on homework, and play computer games together. This has also spurred the library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB), which Windheim says has two representatives on the Library Board.

Reading help

While technology is a main part of the library, that’s not to say reading is not. For early readers, the library offers the Ready to Read Room, offering hands-on activities to help with literacy learning.

“There’s a lot of activities that just build early literacy skills because early literacy skills have a number of different components – it’s not just reading,” Wells says. “The activities we have in there help build those skills.”

Reading Tower, mural

Readers of all ages can enjoy Windheim’s favorite section of the Library, the Reading Tower – a circular room with windows, padded seating, and a $20,000 commissioned mural that was a gift from the Friends of Pocket-Greenhaven Library to mark the Library’s first anniversary. The mural features pictures from literary treasures like Little Women, The Wizard of Oz, and Treasure Island.

“It’s really neat just to sit there and watch the kids go in and their eyes just pop open,” Windheim says.

Your ‘Lucky Day’

For adult book readers, the Library features monthly staff picks. Wells says the library staff is always happy to make a reading recommendation. And if you’re looking for a bestseller, it may be your “lucky day.”

“One of the things the Friends of the Library sponsor are the Lucky Day books, the best sellers,” Windheim says. “You don’t have to sign up to be on a waiting list – if you come in and you see the book there, it’s your ‘lucky day’ and you can check it out for three weeks.”

Popular programs

The library offers a number of events throughout each month, everything from book and movie discussion groups to a knitting group to its popular Lego Block Party. In January, the library will be offering programs for the college-bound on scholarships and financial aid. In February the library will be launching an ancestry workshop, and in February and March there will be programs for those looking for employment. Wells says the library is always looking for community members to come in and host new programs as well.

LITERARY IMAGES. A $20,000 mural depicting characters from beloved childrens’ books is a feature of the Reading Tower at the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library. The mural was a gift from the Friends of the Library, celebrating the library’s first anniversary last August. / Valley Community Newspapers photo, Corrie Pelc

Become a Friend

As this modern library looks to continue to be a place for the community, Windheim says they need the community’s support to keep it going. Ways the community can help include purchasing books through the Friend’s bookstore in the Library and becoming a member of the Friends.

“With the budget cuts and economy, it would be a tremendous help for families of the Pocket to become Friends of the Library members to help us with the programs because we want to keep as many programs as we can,” she says.

Busier than ever

It’s the ability of the library to provide services and programs for everybody in the community that Wells says is one of the best things about the library.

“I think there are people who say libraries are obsolete, books are dead, and that is just not true,” she adds. “We’re getting busier and busier because people need us. We fill that digital divide.”

For more information on the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven Library and the Friends of the Pocket-Greenhaven Library, visit www.saclibrary.org.

corrie@valcomnews.com

Fleece Crafts

On Jan. 7, make a scarf, hat of smartphone “Snuggie” from durable, colorful fleece. No prior sewing knowledge is necessary, and all materials will be provided. Fleece is easy to cut and work with, because it doesn’t fray or unravel.

fleece-hat-christmas-craft-photo

This adult program will be held at the library from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The McKinley Park Library is located at 601 Alhambra Boulevard in Sacramento. For additional information, call (916) 264-2700 or visit www.saclibrary.org.