Comments from the Commons
The idea of “the commons” is one that has a long history and in the United States, dates back to the original Plymouth settlement in Massachusetts. The term, in recent times, has been adopted to describe open spaces on campuses as well as libraries.
Thankfully, when used in the library, it no longer refers to a place for corralling livestock or to bury the dearly departed but instead describes an area where everyone in the community is welcome to use a common space to learn, read, research, or just relax and pass the time.
Although, not long ago, a patron was found browsing the books with a live chicken in her bag.
At Sutter County Library, the common space has evolved dramatically over the last 105 years. Our library came about through the hard work of librarian Harriet Eddy who organized the county library system in California from 1909-1918. Crossing rivers in boats, riding horses or using stage lines and hired automobiles, Harriet made her way to nearly every county board of supervisor meeting in California to set up public libraries. That’s something to keep in mind when I grudgingly drive across town to attend a board meeting.
The main branch was first located at the corner of 2nd and B streets in Yuba City. It moved to 2nd and Fairman where the library shared space with the office of Sutter
County Schools. When a new courthouse was built at 463 2nd Street, a space was set aside to house the library. By the late 1960s, it was obvious that the growing community needed a larger space for the community to gather.
A groovy new library was built at 750 Forbes Avenue in 1971. Since that time, the library has hosted thousands of community events funded through grants and the Friends of Sutter County Library – story times, book clubs, speakers, poets, concerts, chess tournaments, mad scientists, wild animal shows – the list goes on.
The recent renovation has improved the open common spaces where library staff look forward to new ways to provide educational experiences for all ages. Whether exposing new citizens to English classes and employment services or long-time residents to best sellers, ebooks and multi-generational skill share, library staff use every square inch of the community common space to serve the public.
The library has a long history of providing a commons with nearly 43,000 active card holders (not including livestock) who benefit from this trusted institution.
James Ochsner is the director of Library Services for the Sutter County Library.