Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Libraries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Huron Public Library tells council its programs boost social connection
Summary
Library Director Jennifer Book told the Huron City Council the library’s regular programs and annual events foster social connection across ages and cited research she said links social ties to better health; the council heard about recent Friends of the Library fundraising and new children’s technology.
Jennifer Book, the Huron Public Library director, told the Huron City Council on Dec. 9 that the library’s wide range of recurring programs and annual events play an essential role in building social connections in the community. "Social connection can increase one's odds of survival by 50 percent," Book said, describing research that, she said, supports the library’s mission to connect residents.
Book reviewed monthly offerings — card and board games (Euchre twice a month, Mahjong every Monday, chess three times a month, Scrabble twice a month), an art club, a stitch-and-knit group, book discussions across genres and a Socrates Club for philosophical conversation. She said younger and older patrons regularly bond through these programs and that the sign-language group and the Lake Erie Writers Alliance provide additional opportunities for cross-generational interaction.
Book described two larger annual events that recently took place: a trick-or-reading family night with teen volunteers reading 10 stories in one night, and a holiday open house with food, music, crafts and therapy dogs. She noted the Friends of the Library raised enough money at their fall book sale to purchase a final AWE computer for the children’s area.
"The best way to support the library is to visit, but joining the Friends of the Library is another great way to give toward what is happening at the library," Book said. She closed by thanking council and wishing the city a happy holiday season.
Council did not take formal action on the presentation; the update served as an informational briefing ahead of regular business.
