Paper Mache
When was the last time you were in one of our local libraries?
We are very fortunate in this community to have several, including the Yuba County Library and the Sutter County Library system with branches in Yuba
City, Sutter, and Live Oak. I have worked with both county librarians on several projects, and they are exceptional professionals who we are blessed to have in our midst. And the work they did during the pandemic was astounding as they remodeled facilities, maintained residents’ ability to access materials and provided extracurricular online activities for students.
The history of libraries goes back to almost the beginning of written language when clay tablets were inscribed in cuneiform script to record commercial transactions, and government and temple records. The world’s oldest known library was founded in the 7th century B.C. for the “royal contemplation” of the Assyrian ruler Ashurbanipal in modern day Iraq. It included a trove of some 30,000 cuneiform tablets organized according to subject.
Our local libraries offer a myriad of services including literacy programs, English proficiency, and citizenship classes. They have local history archives, education and career resources, and public computers. You can even borrow DVDS and music CDS. Friends
call 415-246-0064.
SATURDAY
EVENTS
– The Yuba City Certified Farmers of the Library groups offer book sales and raise thousands of dollars each year to support the libraries.
Both libraries offered end of summer parties for students complete with superheroes, animal and science demonstrations and … lots of free books.
I visited the Yuba City Library recently to see the result of its remodel last year. The change is miraculous with a large “maker space” with virtual reality equipment and 3D printers, private study rooms, enhanced storage and an open-air atrium complete with a resident turtle named “Shelly.”
There are individuals in our midst who apparently do not see the value of libraries and museums and have proposed defunding both in some misdirected, misinformed cost-cutting scheme. This would result in an inescapable decline in our quality of life in Yuba-sutter, not to mention being a huge embarrassment when describing our community to outsiders looking to relocate here.
With summer student reading programs coming to an end, consider a library visit yourself, even if you don’t have school-age children. Follow us on Facebook or go to yubasutterarts.org.