“The library is not just about transactions, it’s about community,” according to Snowflake-Taylor Librarian Cathie McDowell.
The Snowflake-Taylor Public Library is part of the Navajo County Library Consortium, which provides many services to patrons such as Internet access, and benefits from grants written by the county librarian. In return, the STPL provides services to people who live outside of Snowflake and Taylor.
In summarizing the activity at the library in the 2016 year-end report to the Snowflake Town Council Dec. 13 meeting, McDowell noted that 69,673 items have been borrowed, and there are 684 new card holders for a total of 7,569 card holders, which breaks down to 4,243 from Snowflake, 2,044 from Taylor and 1,282 from other areas.
Items borrowed are not just books, though books make up 67 percent of the total; movies, 26 percent; audio books, seven percent; and music one percent.
There are 55,470 items in STPL’s collection.
New at the library are launchpads purchased with grant funds through the Navajo County Library Consortium.
The library has nine computers available for public use, and McDowell noted that many Walmart employment applications were filled out at the library because many people who couldn’t navigate computers relied on the library staff to help them with their applications. Several later reported that they landed jobs at the new store.
The library staff also helps people file applications for Social Security.
Today students have online homework, but some have no home access to a computer, so they visit the library to use the computers. The library provides wi-fi for everyone. McDowell said sometimes after hours she sees people in the parking lot, and the glow of their phones can be seen, so they must be taking advantage of the wi-fi.
McDowell reported that once a week a disabled adult group comes into the library and staff members help them find what they need.
On average, 20 children attend story time at the library each week.
In reporting on the Academy Building, which is being refurbished for use as a state of the art library, McDowell said that they have been approved for $40,000 grant from the state, but a 100 percent match is required.
The Snowflake Academy Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds to refurbish the library. Because of the hard work of the board members and the generosity of area residents and others, they will be able to match those funds, which will go toward an emergency exit. They also are working toward framing in the elevator.
State officials advised McDowell that they had $69,000 left from the grant program and are looking for someone who could match that. McDowell is working on finding that match, and told the council members that she may be coming to them for help in the near future.
