Client Library Spotlight
We love our client libraries, so for this month’s Material Matters, we decided to take a look at what some of our libraries are doing in their communities. Read on to see what libraries are doing around the country and up north!
- San Antonio Public Library is reopening their Central Library after a 3-year renovation project
- Philadelphia Free Public Library launches “Language Help Here!” Campaign for patrons
- Mississauga Libray launces Seed Library for spring
- Billings Public Library seeking historic photos from patrons for archive
San Antonio Public Library is reopening their Central Library after a 3 year, $3 million renovation
After closing part of the library for renovations in December 2019, the Central library of San Antonio Public Library is reopening 26,000 square feet of space for their patrons on April 1st, they announced via video.
The focus of the project was creating a space for children to learn and feel secure in. The Texas library also modernized the entry space on the first floor to create a more welcoming space for patrons entering the building. Finally, the library also gave the exterior of their building a new coat of paint.
Philadelphia Free Public Library launches translation service for patrons
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ Language Access Program team and the Free Library of Philadelphia teamed up to start the “Language Help Here!” Campaign. The campaign aims to provide access to City services and information to residents who speak a language other than English.
Philadelphia, which is a Certified Welcoming city, also created this video to help people using the new service.
Mississauga Library (Canada) started a seed library for their patrons and hosted a workshop for garden literacy
The Ontario library celebrated the launch of the Malton Library branch’s seed browsing collection with a 3 hour event for their patrons. It included, storytime, a seed starter activity, and a grow tower demonstration. The event also included a presentation with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority on how to create pollinator friendly spaces.
Billings Public Library (MT) is asking their patrons to submit photos to the Community Archive Project
One Montana library is turning to their patrons to help build their historic photo database. The Billings Public Library is looking for images from the second half of the 20th century to preserve their city’s history, according to a local news story.
The library is accepting up to 10 submissions per person to the existing collection, until May 1st. The specialists at the library are digitizing the images via scan, and entering them into the digital Montana History Portal, along with posting them in the library itself.