Los Banos Library now open Wednesday evenings

All the opportunities the Los Banos public library provides during the day will now be available in the evening, one night a week. As of January 15 the Los Banos branch of the Merced County Library, on Seventh St. just south of Pacheco Boulevard, will be open every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

This opportunity, as the television commercial might say, is for a limited time only, for the next six months. It’s an attempt by the county library to see if people actually do what they’ve said they would do--use the library if it was open in the evening.

The county library will also be keeping other branch libraries open one night a week. Delhi, like Los Banos, will be open to 8 p.m. every Wednesday; Atwater and Livingston will be open to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. The main library in Merced will be open to 8 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We have heard from many people throughout the county that they’d like their library open in the evening,” said Amy Taylor, director of the Merced County Library. “We have heard their request, and we are trying a pilot project for the next six months.

“We’ll be keeping track of library usage from now until July,” Taylor said. “Usage statistics will be presented to the Board of Supervisors when we discuss the continuation of evening hours.”

The new Wednesday evening hours could especially benefit commuters. Many people in Los Banos don’t get home from work until after 6 p.m., when the library now closes. Now they’ll have a chance to use the library in the evening.

Many years ago the Los Banos public library was open in the evening. I can remember in the 1970s taking my young children to the library after dinner to pick out picture books to check out. They would go home, put on their pajamas and look at the books they had just selected before they went to sleep.

Sometime over the years evening library hours went away, during one or more of the many budget cuts the county library experienced over the past four decades. I’m glad to see the library is open after 6 p.m. again, even for one evening, even on a trial basis.

Today the Los Banos library is used for many things besides checking out books. It provides computers with internet connections and offers many programs for children. It’s also the location where literacy tutors work with adults who want to improve their reading skills. In fact, the Los Banos library is used today more than ever.

The library is Los Banos today is very welcoming, providing a staff that is friendly and helpful. Nola Ramirez has been the main person behind the Los Banos library’s circulation desk for more than five years, and she has received many compliments from patrons on her upbeat attitude and helpfulness.

Nola has organized and directed many children’s programs including everything from gingerbread houses to magicians to reptiles, showing kids how much fun libraries can be.

The library is also aesthetically pleasing. A dozen years ago the Los Banos library began a makeover that included new paint and furniture. And just recently, thanks to the Friends of the Los Banos Library and the Merced County Board of Supervisors, the library will have new carpeting.

This past fall the Los Banos Friends agreed to contribute $7,000 from its funds for carpeting that has long been needed, and county supervisors agreed to match that amount. The carpeting is scheduled to be installed soon. The Friends have also contributed an additional $3,000 to purchase new books for the Los Banos library’s collection.

It took many years for the local library’s Friends to accumulate those funds, thanks to contributions of many people over the years becoming and staying members and participating in the yearly Friends’ fundraisers. It was the Friends over the years who provided the paint, did the painting and purchased the furniture. Now, with the help of the county, they’re providing carpeting, too, as well as more books.

Beginning March 1 the Friends will be starting their annual membership campaign, led by membership chair Gerry Giesel. As in the past membership is cheap, just $10 for individuals and $15 for families. Businesses can become members for only $25, but many businesses in Los Banos have contributed much more over the years, knowing how important their local public library is.

Members are not expected to do anything, just show their small monetary and important moral support. The Friends who decide to become an active part of the group are warmly received and appreciated.

I hope many Los Banos residents use the library on Wednesday evenings during the next six months to show that evening hours are worth the expense, and I hope many residents begin or renew their membership with the Friends of the Los Banos Library.

With community support, the local public library can continue to be, as it was meant to be, one of the cornerstones of American democracy.

In memoriam: Los Banos lost one of its liveliest and most beloved long-time residents when Rita Ribeiro recently passed away at age 91. Her smile, zaniness and kindness will long be remembered.

John Spevak wrote this for the Los Banos Enterprise. His email is john.spevak@gmail.com