LIBRARY NEWS & NOTES: The library's wow factor for the community

Libraries of the past were often quiet, stately structures, with a staff dedicated to checking books in and out and assisting patrons with research oriented questions. Today's Carson City Library is a community focused, dynamic entity expanded into two buildings (the additional BRIC on Proctor Street); staffed by professionals who seem to know everything, or at least how to find the answer to just about any question; dedicated to sponsoring free programs of interest for citizens of all ages; and committed to collaboration with businesses and educational facilities throughout the area.

With school starting Monday for Fremont Elementary School students, the library's online tutoring services and databases supplement and enhance almost any educational experience. Online tutoring site BrainFuse, preferred by area users, offers interaction with certified teachers and tutors, skill building, personalized e-learning tools, adult learning assistance (GED, resume and cover-letter writing, U.S. citizenship preparation, and Microsoft Office Essential Skills Series), 24-hour writing labs and homework questions center. To access BrainFuse, visit the library website and click on Homework Help under online services.

At noon Thursday in the library auditorium, Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans provides free legal information to those struggling with the intricacies of divorce proceedings. This program will be followed by clinics and workshops sponsored by NV Legal Services for those acting as their own counsel. Filing legal forms is the topic for the 1 p.m. Thursday session, and custody/support education begins at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Informal learning opportunities upcoming at the library

Author, corporate counselor and "passionate learner" Marcia Conner describes informal learning as a "lifelong process whereby individuals acquire values, skills and knowledge from daily experience and educational influences" from sources other than school. The children and teen area of the library illustrates this concept, with another fascinating summer program. Youth Services Librarian Amber Sady and Phillip Egger (an intern for Sen. Harry Reid and a Ph.D. student at Northwestern University) are presenting a hands-on math program at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 2. Using the manipulation of and building of three-dimensional shapes, Egger will demonstrate deep mathematical concepts that most children older than 7 can understand and enjoy. Children and their parents will use shapes to make solids such as dice, pyramids and more.

The wildly successful Summer Reading Program, which involved close to 600 participants, wraps up with a party at the west end of Mills Park from 12 to 2 p.m. Aug. 6. Young readers who have been diligently counting pages read and documenting reading times and their efforts will be rewarded with homemade ice cream, face painting, balloons and raffle prizes galore. The grand raffle prize will be announced at a later date in case readers have any last-minute tickets to turn in. Summer reading programs such as this one promote reading for enjoyment, give children an opportunity to document what they read, share books and opinions with others, and strengthen reading skills in an informal, relaxed manner.

Family story time continues at 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. every Wednesday and Thursday and provides rhymes, songs and stories for up to 30 children and parents or caregivers.

Open video-gaming is available daily in the youth section of the library.