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Library moves forward by appealing to a young audience The Claremont Library has taken a big step forward with open arms towards its teen and young adult communities. Approximately 30 people attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at the south end of the library Monday to commemorate the installation of 2 new reading booths, a neon pink sign reading “Teens” and an expanded and updated collection of young adult books. “We are all part of the same community,” said Judith Tanenbaum, president of the Friends of the Claremont Library. “We're bringing together a diverse group. The library is a great place where teens and young adults can check out books for free, learn how to go to college and learn how to support the community.” The crowd included members of the Claremont Teen Committee, Claremont Library and Friends of the Claremont Library as well as Claremont Unified District board member Steven Llanusa. The Claremont City Council had 3 representatives at the event with appearances by Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay and councilmembers Sam Pedroza and Peter Yao. “This is something new that welcomes teens and young adults to the library and provides them with valuable resources,” Mr. Calaycay said. Containing a hamburger diner like design, the new blue booths with accompanying white tables provide a specific area for teens to read and use their laptops with the library's free Wi-Fi signal. Teen Committee member Hannah Mathieson finds the new setup attractive to people of her age group. “I think this is really exciting and it's another way for teens to get involved,” said the El Roble 8th grader and reading enthusiast. “The booths are very stylish and bring a good vibe. Combined with the great flashing sign, it looks very inviting to us.” During the ceremony, Ms. Tanenbaum gave specific thanks to the people who contributed with the library's annual book sales. She hopes the enhanced offerings to teens and young adults will attract more people from the 2 demographics.
Teen Committee Co-Chair Laurel Wilkie believes the additions represent a good start in the library's endeavor to bring in a younger audience, specifically with Wi-Fi connections and the latest popular books. Yet the CHS senior said the main obstacle is getting teens to visit the library. “Just getting teens down here is the first step to them knowing what goes on here,” Laurel said. “If teens know what is going on here then they are likely to want to get involved.” Popular titles such as the Twilight series will be regularly available through a $250 donation by the Kiwanis Club of Claremont. The pay-it-forward gift came about as a result of Kiwanis Community Services board member Angela Bekzadian-Avila entreating her club to help support the library. “I had come to the library one Saturday to find a book and I found that I had no cash,” Ms. Bekzadian-Avila said. “A gentleman came to me and said 'here is a dollar and pay it forward.' So I went to Kiwanis after that and said we needed to do something for the teens. So that's how the donation came about and I've also pledged to give a monthly contribution to the library so they can order new books.” Ms. Tanenbaum credits Adult Services Librarian Carl Barthelette with making the suggestion to purchase the new booths and for playing a key role in the project. She said the relationships the library has with the City of Claremont and the county are equally important factors. “Maybe this is just Phase 1 but it will be interesting to see what happens for the next phase,” Ms. Tanenbaum said. —Landus Rigsby |
