Imagine if we could open the walls, windows and websites of all California's libraries and share the amazing, life-changing and life-enhancing activities that take place, every day, in our library communities. How many books are checked out? What are the most accessed web pages of a library's website? How many reference questions are answered? What are the top five reasons people visit the library? What classes, workshops, or events are offered to the public on a given day?
The Sacramento County Public Law Library is joining libraries across the state in participating in "Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries" the week of October 4-8, 2010, to demonstrate how important academic, public, school, and special libraries and library systems are to the state of California.
Library Snapshot Day will chronicle a typical day at the law library, including the variety of services and legal resources available to the public for little or no cost. Behind-the-scene- activities will also be documented, such as loose-leaf filings, newly cataloged books and books requested via interlibrary loan, to highlight the functions necessary to the library's efficiency. Brief comment forms will be available at various locations in the library, and we invite our patrons to provide us with feedback about library services and resources. The results collected at SCPLL will be added to those of other libraries across the state and presented by CLA to show how libraries provide invaluable services to California citizens.
Kim Bui-Burton, CLA President and Director of the Monterey Public Library, "I invite all California community members of any age to visit their library on this historic day and be a part of this first ever "snapshot" of California libraries. Every kind of library provides unique and irreplaceable services; we know this because in communities across the state library usage is rising, and demand is growing for books and other resources, knowledgeable staff assistance and computer/Internet access - despite budget cuts, reduced hours and programs. We believe this California libraries 'snapshot' will show the essential library services and life-changing experiences that California's communities depend on, especially during these times of severe economic distress. We look forward to capturing this "day in the life of California libraries" to demonstrate to decision makers the extent that our patrons, customers and future leaders rely on California libraries for critical library services, resources and programs - now, more than ever."
This statewide project has been developed by the California Library Association (CLA). To learn more, visit Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries, or the nationwide campaign led by the American Library Association.