The library in our location is Hacienda Heights Library, which belongs to the LA County Libraries. Many people take advantage of the peaceful and quiet place they offer. In the library people do many activities like reading, online working and use the computers and technology provided by the library.
The resident at La Puente Emmanuel Maldonado said,“ Before I never used the library but now I have realized that it is a great resource for the community and I should take advantage of it a long time ago. It contributed a lot to me obtaining my bachelors degree, the library was a big part in achieving that, so it has helped me to improve as a person.”
They print important documents, participate in events, and activities. Little kids also have a place where they can play with the toys in the corner especially for children, and they also have computers only for them to play games that help them grow their abilities in math, science, reading, listening, understanding, and solving problems.
Said Maldonado, “ I think libraries should include more activities involving people learning new languages, the library already has a lot of activities but maybe spreading more cultures, people learning this would benefit the community farther because it is important to know about diversity.”
The library is divided into different spaces designed for different ages and activities to perform. There is a place dedicated to kids, where they can find books regarding their age, reading level or favorite genres.
Said Maldonado, “ I would say to someone that if you ever need a quiet place to collect your thoughts or if you need to get some work done out of your house with full distractions, the library is the best place because no one interrupts you and it’s a good place to join.”
There is a technological space where people can access important documents and print in the library as well, also the printing process can be done easily in people’s phones with a QR code.
The young lady of 23 years Valeria Diaz said,“I think people can be informed about libraries through school, maybe someone there can inform them about this, how they can come in and do their thing in a quiet space. I think tutoring programs in all classes are really important and they should have them in here to have a more complete service offered, because I feel like as students go to higher grades there are not many opportunities to be tutored.”
The library allows each person to have a book for three weeks with a renovation of three times, in the app they also can see their check outs and when they are due. People can book a room, they can put money into their accounts directly in the customer service space of the library to buy books or print documents after the 10 pages that are free.
Said Diaz, “I would recommend to someone who wants to come but is not sure of being here, to not be scared. I know sometimes you may be scared of going to new spaces but everyone is nice here. I grew up going to libraries because of my mom, so I think libraries have had a big impact on my life. I do see myself in the future if I have kids coming in here with them.”
There are tables all over the library where people usually work or study in their own space. There is a special part of the library designed for teenagers that has some books that may be interesting for their generation or age, and also comfortable furniture in the separate space.
The librarian at Hacienda Heights library Victoria Pantoja said, “ The age to start volunteering is fourteen for teens we have the teen advisory board which need some volunteers to help prepare programs, make samples for the art activities that we do in there, a big opportunity to volunteer in the summer its for the summer discovery program, we need a lot of volunteers to help people sign up for the program and to hand out the prices.”
There are shelves with books that are more borrowed for adult people. The library has a very organized and quiet space with the books in order of age or genre. The LA County Libraries also have an app where people can see the different events that are happening, the books they would like to make a hold on. If the library doesn’t have it they can bring it from another library and the person would be able to receive a notification when the books on hold are ready to pick up on the shelf that are organized by alphabetical order.
Said Pantoja, “ I would say to someone who is thinking of volunteering to just give it a try, volunteering is a good and rewarding experience especially through the library, many people started at volunteering at the library ended up staying and working for the library because they like it so much so they stay, my last advice is if you are interested to volunteer it is important to reach out early, let us know ahead of time for us to check the schedule and the check the space available as well .”
