Library services page

Welcome to the San Benito County

Library Services Page

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The Library has more than 65,000 books, magazines, newspapers, video and audio cassettes, compact discs, cameras, newsletters, college catalogs, CD-ROM computer programs, encyclopedias and informational brochures that are available for the public.

LIBRARY SERVICES

Bookmobile service links the library with the rural communities and schools, and other areas of San Benito County. Adults and juveniles have access to books and other library materials through the bookmobile at each scheduled biweekly stop. Bookmobile schedules are available at the Main Library and on the Bookmobile.

Patrons can put a reserve on any material that is currently checked out for a $.50 fee. When the book is returned the patron is called and the book is then held for three days for the patron to pick up.

This library will attempt to locate any book or periodical that you request. When your request title is found, it will be sent to this library for your use. You will be notified when the item arrives. There are three free requests per week per library patron.

CALIFORNIA LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION: Books on all aspects of California and local history, some rare and out-of-print, are housed in the California Local History Reference Collection.
SPANISH LANGUAGE COLLECTION: The library has adult and juvenile books, magazines, informational pamphlets, audio cassettes, compact discs, and video cassettes in Spanish.
MULTILINGUAL COLLECTION: Includes books in other languages such as Japanese, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, etc.

Adult literacy volunteer tutors teach reading, writing, math, basic living skills to English speaking adults 18 years of age and older. Learners meet with tutors on a one-to-one basis in the library, home and other public buildings.

The Internet is the world's largest depository of electronic information. Library card holders may make a reservation to use the Gates Internet Computer Lab. Reservations are booked on a first come first serve basis. The library's Internet volunteers are on hand to help patrons on Thursday between 5 and 8:00 p.m. Diskettes for down loading information from the Internet may be purchased at the library. There is a $.15 per page charge for using the printer.

Word processing programs are available as part of the Gates Computer Lab. Which are available for use by registered library patrons MWF 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and T.Th 1 - 8:30 p.m. Diskettes for saving the document may be purchased at the library. There is a $.15 per page charge for using the printer.

Every Wednesday morning from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. stories are read to preschool age children (3 - 5 years old) in the children's area of the library. Sleepytime Story Time is every Tuesday from 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Storytellers involve the children in sing-alongs and finger plays. Come and enjoy the fun!

The Kids Club is for school age children and is held on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Each week a different activity is planned and the students may get help with their homework. It is held every week from September through May in the Barbara Memorial room. The Kids Club is co-sponsored by Hollister Youth Alliance and Friends of the Library.

SUMMER READING

This special program is held during the summer, June through August. Those who sign up for the program are encouraged to read a minimum of two books checked out from the library. Each week the children meet on Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. to register their books and participate in the various fun activities that are planned . Achievement award certificates are presented at the end of the summer program.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are intensively recruited from the community to supplement staff efforts in areas such as assisting with children's programs, reshelving library materials while ensuring their proper order, filing cards and pamphlets, retrieving and storing magazines, cleaning and checking the condition of library materials, processing browsing paperbacks for use, and preparing and applying labels, pockets, and protective coverings to books and other media. They also work in public service areas (the check out desk and the children's area). Five of the nine services above are staffed and/or run by volunteers. In short, the library could not function without the help of volunteers. With that many jobs to do, the library is continually looking for qualified volunteers who can give 4-5 hours one day per week on a regular basis.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

The Friends of the Library is an organization of citizens who are interested in promoting the welfare and growth of their library, in enriching its resources, and in making its services better known to the community. To that end a number of fund raising events are held every year. These include the annual book sale in April during National Library Week and an annual golf tournament in the fall. Other book sales (both new and used) are held periodically throughout the year. The Volunteer of the Year is honored during National Library Week by the County Librarian. A pot luck dinner is held in honor of all the volunteers. All volunteers are recognized for their volunteerism. Meetings are held every third Friday at 9:15 a.m. in the Barbara Memorial Room at the library and the general public is always welcome.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
$25 Family Membership
$15 Regular Membership
$7.50 Senior Citizens
$5.00 Students
$50 or more Sponsor Status

All contributions and annual membership dues are tax deductible. Membership dues, along with money funds obtained from book sales and other fund raisers, help supplement the library's collection, improve facilities, and provide educational and recreational programs not funded by the library budget. You may join by sending your contribution to:

The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library
470 Fifth Street
Hollister, California 95023
(831) 636-4107

Better still, drop by the library to fill out a membership form and tell us what talents you have and how you can help in other ways.

Friends of the Library's web page

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