What do you expect to find at a library? Books, of course. DVD movies and public-use computers, probably. Research materials, without a doubt. But the RCS Community Library offers so much more. As Library Director Lisa Neuman says, “The mission of the RCS Community Library is to enrich lives, celebrate community, and inspire creativity. And our traditional services are just a starting point.”
Baby Chicks Anyone?
Local environmental educator George Steele, the Schoolyard Naturalist, brought a hen, a rooster, fertilized eggs, and an incubator to the library on April 5 for the monthly Saturday Fun for Families event. Families learned about egg laying and how to incubate chicken eggs. The baby chicks should be hatching around April 23. They’ll stay at the library for about a week and then return to George’s farm.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
In addition to books, paper, and eBooks, you can “borrow” seeds for your garden from the library. At the end of the growing season, collect some seeds to return to the library for next year. Eventually, this effort will build a sustainable collection of seeds adapted to our area.
Traveling Exhibits
The library is hosting the Messages from Survivors traveling exhibit through July 27. Survivors’ voices make Holocaust history vivid and personal. Six powerful videos and six informational panels connect the experiences of one Jewish family to the immense scale of the Holocaust. This exhibit was made possible through a special legislative grant from Assembly Member Chris Teague.
The Sky’s the Limit when It Comes to Programming and Events
You name it: arts, health, charitable opportunities, science—the library tries to program whatever the community might be interested in. A Fiber Arts group meets on the first Saturday of every month, and there’s chair yoga for older patrons. The library collaborates with the local science center, the Ravena Innovation Station, to host a monthly real-life science expert so kids and parents can learn about different career fields. Later this month, it will be working with a local nonprofit to host a program on making crocheted octopi for kids with leukemia.
Something for All Ages
For our very youngest through our oldest patrons, the RCS Community Library offers a variety of services, ranging from Story Time for young children and their caregivers to movie “dates” for elders. Lisa added, “Instilling an early love for words and reading is one of the best indicators for a child’s future academic success.”
Updated Technology
The library will soon implement new event calendaring software. This will make it easier for people to reserve rooms and sign up for programs and events. Once the calendar is up and running, the library will roll out new assistive technology. This technology will include a large-font keyboard and an ergonomic mouse. A new hearing assistance device will come later this year.
A Building with an Interesting Past
The current building was purpose-built as a Roller-Skating Rink in 1956. It’s also been a car dealership and the local Knights of Columbus Hall. There used to be a bar in the front meeting room area! It’s also bigger inside than it looks, with an amazing little kids’ play area.
Author: Jean Gordon
A semi-retired tax and financial writer/planner and former romance author, Jean keeps busy volunteering in the RCA area (see you at the Grace UMC Book Nook) and spending time with her family.
