Published on page 2 of the Sept. 18 issue of Morgan Hill Life:
Last month, Measure A passed with the overwhelming support of voters. The ballot measure to provide funding from property taxes to the Santa Clara County Library District will enable Morgan Hill’s public library to maintain the high standards of service and resources that have made our county library system one of the best rated in the United States. Starting in January, thanks to Measure A funding, our community library’s doors will be open Mondays.
Morgan Hill has an excellent library. And even if you never enter it and borrow books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs or enjoy the many library programs such as children’s story times or adult workshops and book talks, you benefit from the library. Many collateral benefits come from a good public library in our community. Crime in Morgan Hill is reduced because young people have a place to go after school to do their homework — and stay off the streets and out of trouble. The local economy is helped as well because people can go to the library and learn new skills to find new career paths as well as start new businesses. There are many other returns on the investment of taxpayers’ dollars. An investment study done by the county found that every dollar spent by the library district gives back to the community $2.50 to $5.17 in direct benefits.
The Morgan Hill Library has a great crew of paid staff led by head librarian Peggy Tomasso. But another reason that we have such a fine library — an important reason that often gets overlooked — is the many hours spent by the volunteers of the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library nonprofit group. These dedicated people have created an active community that has enhanced our library over the years.
One reason the Morgan Hill Library is one of the best aesthetically in the county system is because of the works of art — including wall murals, lobby mobile, wood-work pieces and whimsical sculptures — that patrons discover when they explore the library. These pieces were provided by the Friends’ Beyond Books Campaign that raised many thousands of dollars to install the pieces when our current library building opened on May 13, 2006.
Throughout the year, the Friends also sponsor guest lecturers — often well-known authors — to share their thoughts and information in the Morgan Hill Library’s program room. Friendly volunteers help book lovers in the small but well-stocked Friends book store near the library’s check-out area. And several times a year during the popular Big Book Sales, local residents get deals on used books, CDs, videos and other donated items costing $1. (Mark your calendar for Saturday Oct. 12, between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the next sale. It’s well worth it if you have children who love books.)
The Friends of the Morgan Hill Library benefits the community through its many volunteers who love our library. We at Morgan Hill Life encourage you to support this group by becoming a member.
And, if you have time, volunteer in whatever capacity you might want to get involved.
Morgan Hill is blessed with an exceptional library. We can all work to keep it that way by supporting the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library. Visit the group’s website at www.friendsmhlibrary.org to learn more.
