Tim Willert
DOWNTOWN -- Computers may be all the rage throughout the city's public
library system, but reading a good book is just as popular as ever.
"It's clear that people still love to read," said Laurel Patric, the
city's director of libraries. "One of our major roles is to encourage
reading."
Each of the city's six library branches maintain a variety of books,
periodicals and videos, as well as online resources.
The value of the Internet as a reading, writing and research tool,
though, cannot be overlooked, officials said.
At the Glendale Central Library on Harvard Street -- the largest of
the branches at 92,000 square feet -- all 20 computers are occupied from
opening until closing, said Chuck Wike, the library's community relations
coordinator.
"Every hour we're open, somebody is on the computer," he said.
Beginning in April or May, the library will offer beginning computer
classes in Armenian and Spanish, Patric said.
Library materials are also available on the Internet, and library
members can access magazine and newspaper data bases from their homes via
computer.
The Glendale Public Library system's primary purpose is to provide
information and reading services to the community. This is done through a
variety of programs and services, such as summer reading classes for kids
and literacy programs for individuals and families.
"I think we're playing a very important role," Patric said. "We are a
place where people come for information, and we don't charge for that."
The branches vary in size and services.
The Brand Library and Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St., includes an
art gallery and a recital hall.
A sixth branch -- the Pacific Park library -- is a joint-use
collaboration between the city and the Glendale Unified School District
and is under construction.
Library services and programs are paid for through the city's general
fund, and grants fund 65% of the library's literacy programs.
The library, according to Patric, represents a cross-section of the
community.
"We have people who can't afford computers or books," she said. "We
also have people who have used libraries all their lives."
THE GLENDALE LIBRARY DIVISION
* DEPARTMENT HEAD: Director Laurel Patric.
* PERSONNEL: About 60 full-time and 140 part-time employees.
* BUDGET: More than $6 million.
* PHONE: 548-2030.
* WEB SITE: www.glendalepubliclibrary.org.
