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Library staff trying to get read on community needs<br>

Grand Canyon Com-munity Library is updating and rounding out its collection and is seeking input from residents.

The library will also permit visitors to withdraw materials.

Librarian Elmira Freeman says they are working on other changes based on use patterns and input.

“The computers are highly used,” she said. “We have three for the public and are adding two more.” Those should be online by Christmas, she said.

They are also revamping their collection. After the old library burned in the mid-90s, they were deluged with book donations which have led to a backlog and an uneven selection.

“When the library was rebuilt, we got donations from all over,” Freeman said. “Now we’re trying to weed out outdated materials and we’re trying to buy titles based on what we need and what we lack.”

While they appreciate the outpouring of books, Freeman said too many have been coming in. They would like to accept more books in the future, “but we want people to donate stuff they’d like to share, not as a way to get rid of their old stuff.”

“We just rebuilt our self-help selection,” Freeman said. “There were books in there on how to deal with divorce from 1974.”

Library staff consulted with a mental health professional to select the books on topics including depression, parenting, relationships, communication, loss, personal growth and more. They will be systematically reviewing and replacing books in other subject areas in the future.

More useful than book donations would be contributions of time from community members, including those who would be interested in forming a Friends of the Library group to help with fundraising.

“We need volunteers to work on projects, move shelves and help with summer reading program,” Freeman said.

Volunteer and fundraising help would allow the library to expand services and hours. Currently the library operates on a budget of $30,000, part of that from Coconino County and part as a grant from the city of Flagstaff.

The library is open from 12-5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays. Last year, they served over 20,000 visits, up nearly 2,500 from the previous year.

“We’re glad to see our community members using library materials more and more,” Freeeman said.

For more information, call the library at 638-2718.


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