By Theresa-Marie Wilson ~
As the founders intended, the Grover Beach Community Library serves as a free source of reading material for children on up to seniors looking for popular fiction, or books for young adult readers, fans of the classics or history buffs, but it is also bigger than that.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”Nan Fowler” link=”” color=”#00CC66″ class=”” size=””]Before people couldn’t return books that were oversized because they wouldn’t fit through the hole in the door. When the librarians were coming in (to work), the books would be on the floor and they were pushing through, which would damage the books. [/pullquote]Since opening its doors in the neighboring Exploration Station in 2004, the library has served as a lesson in dedication and commitment to a goal achieved one step at a time.
Eleven years ago, the library had 2,000 books, 500 cardholders and was open two days a week. In 2007, it moved across the street to the current location at 240 N 9th St., Grover Beach, where business started to pick up.
Today there are about 15,000 books, 2,000 cardholders and the library is open five days a week.
“We have just totally covered the gamut in this library,” said library Board President Nan Fowler. “Every genre that we can think of, we’ve got something. If you come here, you can find something that you want.”
What makes the library unique, in comparison to the countywide Black and Gold system financially supported and administered through the county, is that it is the only facility completely run by volunteers. They have 11 board members and about 50 volunteers, 18 of which work as librarians.
Recently, library board members were able to check off another thing on the wish list and became the proud owners of their first external, stainless steel book drop.
“We’re uptown now,” said Fowler. “Before people couldn’t return books that were oversized because they wouldn’t fit through the hole in the door. When the librarians were coming in (to work), the books would be on the floor and they were pushing through, which would damage the books. It really was an important thing for us to get. It was a blessing for us and needed.”
The $3,000 book return, purchased with a grant from Pacific Gas & Electric, can hold about 150 books, which fits the needs of the community that checks out a little more than a 100 books a week.
“PG&E was very kind to do the grant,” Fowler said.
The book drop also serves as a symbol reminding people passing by that there is a library there.
The library is a nuts and bolts operation with a lot of heart. The majority of the books lining the shelves have been donated. Because the library relies predominantly on fundraisers to pay the bills, they only purchase books for children, teens and those on California History with money from special gifts or grants.
What’s next for the little library that could?
“The dream would be to do more outreach to teens and also seniors,” said Fowler. “Of course the dream is to have more clients period. We are just trying to get everybody to read. Reading is just necessary and important. We have got to kids to read, so that they read as teenagers, so that they read as adults and become an informed society. ”
In 2014, the library started the Senior Book Break—a once a month discussion with a literary agenda. The program is a little different than a typical book club in that topics such as “prize winners or losers” are discussed rather than specific titles.
“This isn’t a book club in the normal sense of the word,” said Grover Beach City Councilmember Barbara Nicolls who also serves as a library board member. “We would really like to expand on that. My dream is to do the same sort of thing with teens to get them off of electronics and into the library.”
Long-term goals include building a brand new facility.
“Right now, I think we are meeting the needs of a small community that can walk here, that the kids can come here, that is easy to get in and out of because parking is not an issue,” said Fowler.
The library, located at 240 N 9th St., Grover Beach. It is open Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They can be reached at 481-4131.
