Charles County Public Library
LaPlata Branch
Digital Access
The website is clear and easy to navigate the search tabs include, events, mobile library, and research tab. This library system has a Facebook and twitter account, which is frequently updated. The library serves the local public, it is located across from the local county hospital along with communities walking distance. You can access the card catalog from the site and the e-books that the library offers as well. There is a large homeless population the library is home to. The library is also located near a homeless shelter and low-income housing. There is information to contact each library branch by phone and email. There is a events tab that gives all information regarding virtual and in person events. While visiting the library I grabbed a Take & Make craft and a free covid test.
Space and Physical Access
This is a medium sized library, there is a separate room that serves the children and young adult sections. The space is accessible for those with special needs. The library is organized by Dewey decimal in the nonfiction and alphabetical in the fiction, audio, and DVD section. There were many computers arranged for public use and a printer and copier as well. There was an ADA workstation for those who were blind or had low vision. Currently land has been purchased and a new library is being built expected in the next five years.
Steis, J. (2022). LaPlata Branch Library–summer display[Photograph]. CC
Services & Intellectual Access
This is the 100th year for this library system, many signs in the library indicated this celebration. The library catalog is clearly accessible as they have two computer stations for public use. The library is clearly organized by genre fiction and non-fiction, audio and video are also in a separate section. While I was visiting the library three people were stationed at the desk and one library page was shelving books.
People- Patrons & Staff
This library serves the public made up of adults and families with children. The children section is a separate room with a clear indication that it caters to the needs of family. Also, there is a list of family events on the bulletin board in the children’s section and the adult section.
Collections
They have a Maryland State collection, some items are circulated, and the rest are considered in-house reference materials. They do rent out WIFI hot-spots and they are considered very popular as some of the patrons are from the low -income communities.
Other
I was disappointed by the lack of technology available for the teens, also the teen section was in the children’s room. The teens did not have a defined space and according to Rubin & Rubin (2020) libraries should focus on services to attract teen patrons.
Rubin, R. E., & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
It sounds like this library is doing it’s best to reach out to people in need. I’m glad you could pick up a craft kit and Covid test! Maybe the new library will have a separate space for teens? I’d be interested to know more about the homeless population and how the library serves them. Internet access and just a place to be sometimes are a good start. I wonder what else they do. Perhaps I’ll ask about that the next time I am at our public library. Thanks for sharing.
The summer display is so fun and creative! I find it great that there was an ADA workstation for those who are hard of seeing or are blind. I have never seen a library with that before. I think it is great that they rent out WiFi hotspots since so many people do not have wifi at home. This could help them with assignments and various things. I hope libraries can begin getting more funding and we will start seeing those more often. Thanks for sharing.
My area I live in some parts still don’t have wifi- access. The hotspots are very popular.