Yolo County Library celebrates September as Library Card Sign-up Month

Librarians and patrons share the services provided by the local library system

By HANNAH OSBORN — city@theaggie.org 

This September, the Yolo County Library is promoting Library Card Sign-up Month, a celebration created by the American Library Association (ALA) in 1987. Scott Love, Yolo County regional manager, discussed the process of signing up for a card, which requires proof of residence in California.

“We really try to make it as easy as we can,” Love said. “People can bring in a rental agreement, a lease agreement, any piece of mail they’ve received [...] If you’re a California resident, you can use your permanent address also; you wouldn’t have to use a dorm address.”

Love also clarified the terms of a public library card and changes in borrowing policy.

“It’s free for everyone to use,” Love said. “We no longer charge late fees, so unless you lose a book or heavily damage a book, we’re never going to charge you anything.”

A library card grants patrons access to the myriad of services offered by the system. Friends of the Davis Public Library (FDPL) Director at Large Michael Reynolds shared how he utilizes services like LINK+, which brings materials from over 60 libraries to a local branch.

“I’ve asked for odd movies, documentaries, whatever, and they come from far and wide throughout the state, which is a fantastic service, especially in a state as large as California,” Michael Reynolds said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in terms of obtaining a book, or a DVD or a documentary of any type from the library system.”

In addition to loaning materials, the library also has regular events and classes, such as those that FDPL Director at Large Mabel Reynolds took part in.

“For a while I started teaching Spanish speakers English, and they [have] a program called Yolo Reads,” Mabel Reynolds said. “They would lend us a little room on both sides of the library — you have to reserve it because they’re pretty well used — so that’s part of the fantastic resources of the library.”

Patrons can also use their library cards to book meeting rooms for public use. Other services include digital access through Libby, California State Parks passes and access to crafting machines, both on location and through loan.

“We have our makerspace over here, which we officially call the yololab,” Love said. “We have [...] more than two [3D printers] in there, and there’s a laser cutter that we’re still trying to work with, but they do sewing workshops; those are crazy popular.”

The services at the Yolo County Library reflect its mission to provide all community members access to resources. Michael Reynolds shared why the Davis Public Library is important to him

“It’s a pillar of the community,” Michael Reynolds said. “It’s an access point. It’s a community meeting place. It’s a place where one can easily access books, movies, all sorts of publications. The staff is extraordinarily friendly and helpful.”

The Yolo County Library has eight physical library branches where community members can sign up for a library card for free. Locations in Davis include the Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library and the South Davis Montgomery Library, as well as a new location in Walnut Park currently in construction. More information about services, borrowing policies and forthcoming library events can be found at the Yolo County Library website.

Written by: Hannah Osborn— city@theaggie.org