By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Val Verde County Commissioners Court has approved a proclamation designating April 3-9 as National Library Week.
The library will host a special celebration of the proclamation at the library, 300 Spring St., at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.
Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. read the National Library Week proclamation during a recent meeting of county commissioners court.
“Whereas, libraries are accessible and inclusive places that foster a sense of connection and build community; and whereas, libraries connect people to technology, providing access to broadband internet, computers and training that are critical for accessing education and employment opportunities; and whereas, libraries offer opportunities for everyone to connect with new ideas and become their best selves through access to multimedia content, programs and classes, in addition to books; and
“Whereas, today’s libraries and their services extend far beyond the four walls of a building, and everyone is welcome to use their resources; and whereas, in times of crisis, libraries and library professionals play an invaluable role and support their communities, both in person and virtually; and whereas, libraries strive to develop and maintain programs and collections that are as diverse as the populations they serve and ensure equity of access for all; and
“Whereas, to adapt to our changing world, libraries are expanding their resources and continuing to meet the needs of their patrons; and whereas, libraries have long served as trusted and treasured institutes for all members of the community regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status; and
“Whereas, libraries are cornerstones of democracy, promoting the free exchange of information and ideas for all; and whereas, libraries, librarians and library workers are joining library supporters and advocates throughout the nation to celebrate National Library Week; now, therefore, be it resolved that the Val Verde County Commissioners Court proclaim National Library Week April 3-9, 2022; and during this week, I encourage all residents to connect with their library by visiting online or in person to access resources and services,” Owens read.
County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton made the motion to approve the proclamation, and the court approved it unanimously.
Nettleton then asked County Librarian David Bond a question.
“We’re in the process or we’ve already got this (former) school building that’s over in San Felipe. Do we have that already?” Nettleton asked.
“The building in San Felipe, on Chapoy Street, belongs to the county. The building on Brodbent also belongs to the county,” Owens said.
“I would like to see us look and see what it would take in cost to have some sort of auxiliary library over in the barrios for people to have easier access to information. If you (the librarian) could put something together and bring it back to us so we can look at if it’s feasible for us to afford doing something like that since we have those buildings over there now,” Nettleton said.
“And also just, both Commissioner Vazquez and Commissioner Wardlaw, since those buildings lie in their precincts, something maybe with computer labs, we had talked about that. I know that Commissioner Flores had also looked at something at Garfield. Anything you can do for us, Mr. Bond,” Owens said.
“That’s sounds like a great idea, and I have talked a little bit with Commissioner Wardlaw about this previously, so I’ll try to get information and try to work up some kind of a plan to do that,” Bond replied.
—
Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
