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Let’s Celebrate: It’s Library Lovers’ Month!
The following article appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine, which includes hyperlocal stories about Ponca City. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
~Albert Einstein
Ponca City’s Library is a gold mine, and I do not feel that is an exaggeration. In general, most people all over the United States and much of the world value libraries for their many services, their atmosphere and for being one of the few places people can go, spend time and not be expected to buy anything to be there.
Neil Gaiman, author of such spectacularly famous works as American Gods, The Sandman and Coraline, remembers spending his summers at the library and wishing he could be there instead of school the rest of the year. Libraries are safe havens in many ways for many people. In an interview with the American Library Association about his writing and the influence of the library, he tells about being 7 years old and going through the kids’ card catalog (yes, some of us remember those wonderful wooden boxes of information) and looking for words such as witches, ghosts, magic and so on, and then finally just reading through it and all the books alphabetically—hours reading at that young age. Once he’d finished reading the children’s library at 10 or 11 “and loved it,” he moved on to the adult card catalog. He said he didn’t enjoy some of those books, so he chose more carefully. He would talk to the librarians about books, and often they would order more of an author he’d enjoyed. At 9 years old, he felt he and the librarian were “working together.” He understands the value and lessons in good books and that has had a tremendous impact on how and what he writes. Of reading The Wind in the Willows, he said he knew, “I’m reading an important book. I’m reading something that I’m learning from.”
Inspirational author Maya Angelou has emphasized reading as well: “Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.” It’s important to find the genre that holds a child’s attention, and when they discover reading as fun, the world opens to them.
You can open that world for yourself or your children with a library card. A library card is available for anyone with a Kay County address who can sign their name, so as soon as your children can do so, bring them in to get their own card! Nonresident cards can be obtained with a yearly fee.
The core mission of the library is “to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together.” Head Librarian Holly LaBossiere, who has been with the library for over 30 years, says, “My underlying belief is that the library should constantly evolve to ensure that we meet changing community needs and take advantage of emerging trends and resources.” To stay relevant to the community, they take a serious look at surveys and customer feedback.
Challenging themselves to meet the feedback leads to exciting changes. Recently, they have incorporated hands-on activities for all ages, and LaBossiere is especially excited about Slinging Paint With Red Dirt Rosie, an adult evening program. Creative activities have always been prevalent for children, and this addition is another way to expand offerings for a variety of ages.
The library has also decided to improve their children’s summer reading programs by focusing on professional performers who inspire imagination. Rather than prizes, the children have a much more active reward for their reading, with storytellers, artists and scientists.
LaBossiere indicates they’ve also developed improved branding to help customers distinguish library events from other community events, as well as having an upcoming rollout of new marketing strategies to help improve customer usage of resources, such as Kanopy and other online products. The resources are exciting, and more people need to know about them and how easy they are to access.
Located at 515 E. Grand Avenue, Ponca City’s Library holds a wealth of information, resources, inspiration and activities. They have a staff of 25, and four of those have their Master of Library and Information Services. Of course, they offer a large selection of books, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, access to computers with wi-fi, Makerspace and numerous programs for all ages. They have numerous resources both in their beautiful building and online. They offer creative workshops and other resources, such as free tax help. Throughout the library, you will find the Richard Matzene Art collection, which is worth a tour all on its own since there are over 150 pieces in the collection. All of this, and you can still find quiet space to read.
Author Stephen King says, “Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn’t carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life.” I generally do have a book with me whenever there might be downtime when I’m out and about, and I hope you do as well. Neil Gaiman takes it a bit further, pointing not only to the importance of reading but also to the role of libraries: “For a lot of people, libraries are still the way they can get books, the way that they can afford books, the way that they can access books.”
Whether it is books or other resources you desire, Ponca City’s Library is a wonderful place to be. When asked about favorite memories, Director LaBossiere says, “I’m always excited to get to help with our programming events in a ‘hands-on’ way, but over the last few years, I’ve had really great conversations with younger customers who have told me about how much the library has impacted their lives in truly meaningful ways—helping with college applications, finding jobs or getting access to resources to improve their lives.”
With all our library has to offer, it’s no wonder there are many stories such as these. There’s even a bike rack in the back lot if you want to take a family ride for your outing to the library; and up front by the READ sign, you’ll find an air pump and a bike tool stand as well. The Ponca City Library is easy to find and welcoming, so be sure you explore all it offers, whether you are a new customer or a returning one who just needs to discover all the updated resources. The library and their staff are meeting today’s challenges and more.
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