|
Library Provides Community Resource for Life-Long Learning
By Kristine Jacobson
While the library can be a relaxing place to sit and read or check out the latest popular novels, its role in the community goes way beyond recreation and entertainment.
"What libraries are about are sharing resources for an entire community," Library Director Pam Soreide said.
The Holdrege Public Library has been transformed in the last several years with updates to help the library serve the community as a place for life-long learning.
With the advance of digital books and materials, Soreide said it creates questions in people's minds about the future of libraries. But, she said the library is keeping up with technology and is a needed resource in the community when it comes to learning.
"The library supports people's desire to make and do and learn," she said. "Life-long learning really is an important component not just for how to build a deck or tile a kitchen. "
She said adults must constantly relearn how to do their jobs as our world and technology changes and technology.
"I feel this is an opportunity for the library to be a resource in the community to teach people how to use their technology," she said.
Prior to being a community library director, Soreide worked for 28 years as a library director for a global law firm in Los Angeles.
"I am very familiar with what a library can do for the business community," she said.
Soreide works with the PK Edge entrepreneurship class, teaching the section on business research.
One goal she has been working on for the library is to build a collection of business books aimed at helping businesses and entrepreneurs. This includes books about entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, human resources and more.
In addition to keeping up with hard-copy books, the library offers about 4,000 books in a digital format for tablets, Kindles, Nooks or iPads. The Holdrege library partners with other libraries in the state to offer this service.
"That's a challenge for a library," Soreide said. "We are always called to have the same book in different formats. Digital is just another format."
In the next month, Soreide said they will also be offering digital magazines. They have partnered with Grand Island, Kearney and Hastings and are part of a service called Zinio, which will make available 83 digital magazine subscriptions to Holdrege patrons.
"As many people who want to check out the latest edition of Consumer Reports magazine will be able to do so," she said. Magazine check-outs will not have a time limit for return.
"I think this will be a great thing for people in the community," Soreide said. This service should be available in February or March.
Another goal for the library in 2013 is to finish the basement renovation. Once that is complete, the library will offer adult educational programs in a planned basement computer lab.
In addition to adult learning, the library of course continues to instill the love of reading to kids by offering several story times throughout the week, including a new evening class.
"Children who grow up in a book-rich environment do better in life," Soreide said.
The library also will be starting a Lego Builders Club once a month for kids in grades K-4.
The Holdrege Public Library employs 11 staff, including Soreide. It is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. You can find out more about the library and its programs on its Facebook page or its website at www.holdregelibrary.org.
| 
