Grant expands electronic resources at library
The Humboldt Library Foundation recently received a $2,500 grant from Pacific Gas and Electric Company to expand e-resources at the Humboldt County Library.
The funds will help meet the dramatic increase in demand for e-books, audio books and other electronic materials as a result of libraries being shuttered during the COVID-19 crisis and have greatly expanded the increasingly popular “Library to Go” program.
“Though libraries are closed to foot traffic, online activity at the Humboldt County Library has surged,” said Humboldt Library Foundation Board President Elizabeth Murguia. “The library has met the challenge of the pandemic by making online access easier and by beefing up the electronic and audio collection. We are thrilled by PG&E’s response to our request to fund these additional materials.”
“We’ve have been able to expand our Library To Go program and now have more exciting new books for children and teens, fiction and non-fiction, in English and Spanish, for beginning and fluent readers,” said
Youth Services Librarian Jeanine Lancaster. “Some of the new read-along titles are picture books packaged with a recorded reading of the story. For others, who prefer to read aloud to their children themselves, reading e-books while sheltering in place has been a new and exciting discovery. In fact, one of our patrons was so enthused by ebooks, she’s made a donation to further supplement the collection.”
Library patron Karla Darnall said, “I began reading to my grandchildren in New York and Washington during the shelter-in-place as a way to stay in touch and be part of their distance learning. The Humboldt County Library e-books are a wonderful source of books that meet the interests and needs of all their ages.”
According to county librarians, e-resource circulation has grown by nearly 66% since the lock-down occurred. Library use is up and curbside delivery is popular. The library’s electronic resources can be accessed through a variety of devices using your library card — if you don’t have one, you can sign up for a free e-account.
“PG&E supports building stronger communities across
California, and building stronger local libraries helps to meet that goal,” said local PG&E spokeswoman Alison Talbott. “We have been proud to support the efforts of the Humboldt Library Foundation over the years and are pleased to partner with them again to expand learning opportunities right here in Humboldt County.”
The Humboldt Library Foundation was formed in 1996 to build financial support for the Humboldt County Library system, which includes the Eureka Main Library, 10 branches and a bookmobile that serves 14 rural communities. The Humboldt Library Foundation raises funds in the community and makes direct annual grants to the library to help purchase new materials add programming and provide technology upgrades. Since its inception, the Humboldt Library Foundation has provided over $1.4 million in grants to the library.
Donations of any size are welcome. To create a donor advised fund or for more information on the Humboldt Library Foundation, visit www.humboldtlibraryfoundation.org or call the Humboldt Library Foundation office at 707-269-1991.