samedi 16 décembre 2017

The San Diego Public Library Does Much More Than Check Out Books

By Carol Cooper


There was a time when public libraries where repositories for books and not much else. The best facilities have moved along with the times and now offer all kinds of services in addition to lending books. Since many people living in today's world read books and do their research online, libraries, like the San Diego Public Library, have expanded their reach to include a number of important services, most of which are free, for their patrons.

Students and their parents often struggle with homework assignments. A number of organizations have after school programs, but there are costs attached to most that can be too high for strapped mothers and fathers. Fortunately, free homework help is available at this facility after school, and at some locations, every day of the week. Kids can get tutored, have access to free school materials, and get online at the library. Teachers and volunteers offer their services to school age children from kindergarten through high school.

Literacy is a big problem in the United States, especially in areas that are home to large populations of poor people. Some of them have learning disorders, lacked access to educational opportunities, or are simply unable to speak English well enough to communicate effectively. These people will remain in the cycle of poverty without help. In San Diego, free programs provided by libraries offer tutoring and mentoring through community volunteers.

There is a free program in place to work with individuals who have mental health issues. They have professionals at the library available to consult with adults who are homeless or in need of medical attention. They can direct them to programs that have the resources to assist with education, housing, and counseling.

Even with federal laws that make easy access to government buildings a requirement, those with accessibility issues still have problems. Libraries in San Diego have areas where individuals with disabilities can read and research with ease. There are adjustable workstations and tables. Audio, large print, and Braille books are available. They also offer special assistance software on computers with enlarged screens.

Families without personal computers are at a disadvantage unless they have library cards. Libraries have banks of computers available to patrons during regular business hours. They are free to use and have access to the internet. Patrons who need to print out forms or articles or make photocopies can usually do so for a slight fee.

The United States patent office has designated certain libraries as official patent and trademark resource centers. The San Diego system is one of those. Researching patents is not always quick or easy. The facilities have staff available to assist patrons in their searches. These are library employees, not attorneys. They don't give legal advice or conduct independent research for clients.

Publicly funded places where people can go for free information and assistance seem to be getting rarer. Not everyone is lucky enough to have internet access. Libraries are wonderful resources for many and have important functions to fill. They certainly have more than books to provide patrons wise enough to take advantage of the resources they offer.




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