A Source of Inspiration - LAPL and Others

“Paying my dues” to the profession recently, I spoke at an event for library trustees and commissioners in the Los Angeles area. In return, I received so much inspiration! The participants were genuinely interested in the San Diego Public Library story and they expressed their appreciation for our community’s perseverance in moving forward with the new library construction project. Others who spoke reminded me of how dedicated supporters and volunteers are making a difference in keeping library services available throughout California for all to enjoy.

And speaking of inspiration, on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 voters in the City of Los Angeles approved a ballot measure dedicated to funding their library system! Since I was in the area, I decided to go visit the Los Angeles Central Library. Was I ever impressed?!? The place was abuzz with activity. There were groups of people rushing around trying to identify locations as part of a scavenger hunt. The participants seemed to be having so much fun, I wanted to join them. People were everywhere in that vast library, studying, borrowing books, using computers. It was such a validation of our own plan in San Diego seeing this large municipal library that was built many years ago offering so much benefit to the community.

I visited the teen area to get ideas for that section of our new Central Library. I had two teen relatives with me and they were excited. They reminded me that months ago they had offered a suggestion that a true teen area would have large bean bags for students. So they took me to see exactly what they meant - in LAPL’s teen room there, indeed, were the giant bean bags! And, intriguingly, each was occupied by a male student engrossed in reading. It was such a site to behold!

There were other fun features at LAPL too - the round booths for shared computer study, and the relaxed seating where snacks were allowed (occupied by the girls). The Library Foundation's bookstore was pure fun shopping. The restaurant area is called the "Book Ends Cafe." We had a lovely lunch there. Others were there enjoying a meal and conversation, too. I was thrilled to see a family come in to set up a birthday party in a reserved room in the cafe.

There were so many things that we are planning to include in our new library that are happening now at LAPL’s Central Library. While it will be different for us, no doubt, it is so much fun to see a real life example of many of the features and services that will be ours at the new Central Library for the City of San Diego, very soon...