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May 2019 JCLF Board Meeting Presentation: Library 2 You

The license plate says JOY – and that’s what you see on people’s faces when Jefferson County Public Library’s (JCPL) Library 2 You cargo van pulls up to the communities it serves. Kelly Duran, JCPL’s Library 2 You manager gave a presentation on the new cargo van service during our May 16th Jefferson County Library Foundation (JCLF) Board of Directors meeting.

After dwindling numbers of bookmobile borrowers gave JCPL the challenge of making the Library 2 You service more accessible, they started brainstorming solutions and got Summit Body Works under contract to make the project a reality.

With features like removable rolling carts, JCPL was able to break down accessibility barriers with certain communities, like retirement homes. Walking outside to see the selection available on the bookmobile left less mobile residents opting not to use the service. Now, residents can wait inside for the books to come to them.

“Residents were excited and started arriving 30 minutes early to wait for the van,” said Kelly Duran. JCPL Executive Donna Walker added, “It provides social interaction as well.” As it turns out, with people gathering to await the book services, they were taking the time to engage and chat with each other.

The cargo van service began in January 2019 and is continuing to expand its coverage by visiting a children’s summer camp this year, and will making special outreach appearances throughout Jefferson County.

For more information about how you can help the Jefferson County Library Foundation, click HERE.

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Reasons to Bring Your Children to the Library While They’re Young

Reasons to Bring Your Children to the Library While They’re Young

Public libraries are a valuable resource for every community. They provide access to technology, a wealth of information stacked on shelves, and dozens of educational programs available to people of all ages.

They are also a great place to bring your children to while they are young. Read on to understand why your family should visit the library early and often!

Literacy is Important for Their Long-Term Success

Learning to read and write as a young child is one of the most impactful skills over the course of a lifetime. Studies show that early literacy helps brain development in ways that provides a strong foundation to learn and grow over time.

When you bring your children to the library as a baby or toddler, they are more likely to be far more proficient in understanding text and communicating clearly as they grow older. As they say, knowledge is power!

It Fosters A Love of Learning

By the time your children enter school, having previous experience with the learning process can be a huge help. If you bring the family to the library in their early years, they can begin to love learning — something that will benefit them for years to come.

Those who aren’t afraid to learn or who love to discover new facts are all better able to be more creative, insightful and wise as adults. Letting them see the library as an exciting place of information is essentially giving them the gift of wisdom.

The Library Offers a Variety of Activities for Kids

One of the top perks of local libraries is the wide range of educational, cultural, creative and fun activities that are great for families to do together. Whether you sign up for an arts and crafts workshop, visit during story time, or hear an expert speak about the local wildlife in Colorado, you’ll never run out of unique things to do at the library throughout the year!

Head on over to the Jefferson County Public Library website to get all the latest updates on future events, classes and programs!

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underrated library resources

The Most Underrated Resources Available at Your Local Jeffco Library

If you live in Jefferson County, you have access to a wide range of resources and tools provided by your local library system.

Although some of the main services such as renting out books and movies with a library card are pretty well known, we wanted to provide a list of many other opportunities that the Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) offers!

Here are some of the best resources available at your local Jeffco Library you may not have heard about:

Computer Classes

Whether you are someone who has never felt “tech-savvy” and need a few quick lessons on using computers properly, or you have a specific question on a computer software or online searching, JCPL has free classes you can join at a variety of locations!

Topics range from using Google Docs and Microsoft programs to email, job hunting and more! You can learn more about their computer classes online here.

Culture Pass

By far one of the best services JCPL provides is the Culture Pass! This is your “ticket” to participating metro-area cultural institutions, such as the Colorado State Parks, the Butterfly Pavilion, several museums and other arts centers.

With a JCPL library card, you can reserve a Culture Pass online up to 30 days in advance. Be sure to check out the details, instructions and other reservation requirements on the JCPL website!

Servicios en Español

If someone you know is a native Spanish speaker living in the Jefferson County area, they may not know about the many classes, events and other resources available to them in Spanish through JCPL!

Invite them to discover the resources, programs and more available online here.

Meeting & Study Rooms

Need a quiet place to work on a project? Have a hard time finding a good local place to meet with others?

Several of the Jeffco libraries offer small study rooms, as well as large meeting rooms available free of charge! Small study rooms can be used for up to 2 hours per day, hold up to six people and can be reserved up to 30 days in advance. Larger meeting rooms can be reserved up to 60 days in advance!

Check out the information on the JCPL website to learn about the available locations, meeting room policies, and other FAQs.

Computers, WiFi and Printing

With a valid library card you can reserve a computer at the library to use for research, job and college applications, and more! JCPL also offers laptops available for use at the Belmar, Columbine and Golden locations.

You also can use the WiFi networks and hot spots to connect to the internet for free! Other great technology services available include: printing, scanning and faxing. Visit JCPL’s website to learn more!

Have other questions or need assistance?

Reach out to JCPL by calling (303) 235-5275, visiting one of their local library locations or submitting a question online!

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