Interim Director Jessica Anderson announced that the library was clearing its records of all unused library cards. The announcement made to the Humboldt Library Board of Trustees at their Aug. 20 meeting.
“I'm going through right now and getting rid of old library cards that are no longer active, so we have accurate numbers of who actively uses the library,” Anderson told the Trustees.
Anderson said she will go back five years and get rid of old library cards that have not been used so the library will have accurate numbers of who actively uses the library. She said the library would like to be able to send text targeted messages that reflect patrons’ interests. By updating patron information, the library will be able to send messages related to overdue books, future events, as well as more personal messages.
Anderson said the current library card count is 9,000, which she says is not accurate. The Humboldt County Library serves all the county including a bookmobile and branches in Denio and McDermitt.
Library cards are free to any Humboldt County resident.
Anderson said if patrons have not used their card but still want to remain active, they should stop by the library, fill out the newly designed application form and the library can reactive it. There is no age limit on who can get a library card, although Anderson says that a parent or guardian must sign the form for anyone under the age of 18.
The effort to update patron information is in combination with National Library Card Sign-up Month happening in September. The nationwide campaign is designed to encourage parents and students to obtain a library card. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.
Early literacy classes spark a love of reading and learning at a young age to encourage school readiness.
“We know that third grade reading is a critical point for, and predictor of future success and high school graduation,” United Way Northern Nevada and the Sierra CEO Michael Brazier said in a recent interview. “Studies are showing that if kids don't start kindergarten ready to learn, the chances that once they are behind that they stay behind. It's really hard for them to get caught up.”
