Barbara Hart Radisavljevic
Spanish Books for Children
Paso Robles has a large population of Spanish-speaking families, and the library wants to make sure they are not left out of the library's resources. The children's books in this section are all nonfiction. I'm quite sure they also have fiction in Spanish, but it's probably with the rest of the fiction in the stacks.
Graphic Novels (and Comic Books) for All Ages
Graphic novels did not exist when I was a child. The closest thing to graphic novels we had were comic books. Graphic novels tell their stories mostly with art and text bubbles that contain narration and dialogue. Some of the old classics have been adapted to this form to attract younger or visual readers who don't like books without pictures. Some history and biography books from educational publishers also take this form, even though they are not novels.
As I was looking through these shelves I also saw books that compiled collections of popular comic strips read mostly by adults.
A Closer Look at Some Graphic Novels
You can see that most graphic novels contain a lot of action. If they didn't, no one would read them. They don't have the long descriptive passages that many classics contain because the pictures take their places. Many books today are written especially for this genre instead of being new versions of old classic stories. Many teens who won't touch a regular book read these.
Where the Adult Patrons Hang Out at the Paso Robles Library
This gives you a limited view of the stacks where the books for adults can be found. On the right, above the shelves, you see some photos. That wall often displays the works of local artists or photographers. This month it features historical R.J. Arnolds portraits from 19th century glass plate negatives. The story of how these became this display is told on the wall beside them.
As I took this photo I stood on a level slightly above this section. There are stairs leading down to it. You will see computers and the reference desk directly below me. Most of the fiction for adults is in this section near the reference desk and on the shelves on the surrounding walls.
The cases you see at the back by the windows are the nonfiction shelves.
A Wider View of the Stacks
At the front of the photo you have fiction. At the back behind the computers below those upper story windows you find the nonfiction. Along the windows on the left side are tables and cubicles where people can read or study. On the other side of those windows is 11th Street. I will show you the other side of that wall in the next photo.
Because of limited space, I will skip some of the other library areas like the periodical reading room, the young adult shelves, and other primarily book areas. I've tried to focus on what I think is most unique in our library. I'm hoping this tour will encourage people who thought the library had nothing but books to offer them will pay their library a visit to see what might be unexpected and new to them.
Viewing the Paso Robles Library from 11th Street
I took this photo from the corner of Park and 11th Streets. Parking on this street is free if you can find a place open. You can see the library wall is curved. On the other side of the wall are the desks and computers where people sit and use library materials. They can also look out onto this street view and the park beyond. These walls also house the book stacks you saw above.
I hope you have enjoyed this tour of the Paso Robles Library as it is in February, 2018. If you live in Paso Robles I hope you will pay it a visit and bring your children. If you live elsewhere, visit your own local library if you haven't been there for a while. What you find may surprise you.
Paso Robles City Library is very impressive. Hopefully the library will survive in the era of communication technology today and in the future.
AS you can see, the library both uses and encourages the use of technology. You can even borrow ebooks electronically, but I haven’t figured out how to do it yet. My Kindle is already full, anyway. I usually find enough free books I want to read to fill it up.
Yes, that way the library is still able to attract visitors to come
I think it’s good when we have books that collect only dust to offer to libraries. For example, from the houses of deceased relatives who sell, and the books go for recycling. Perhaps somewhere somebody needs our book with an old edition.
I keep hoping that’s the case. I’m trying to find good homes for the books I no longer need now.
I love a good library and have spent many happy in my hometown libraries
I’m very thankful for the part libraries have played in my life. I don’t mind having my tax dollars support them.
Thank you for sharing this tour of the library in your home town. It is an amazing view.
I really love Paso Robles and this library is part of what makes it special.
Libraries today have changed a lot from last century when they were old fashioned.
They certainly have. This is not like the library of my childhood.
I love libraries. Thankfully, I live just a few minutes away from one, so am always visiting my local library. I love reading.
I can’t image a life where there was nothing good to read.
It looks like a lovely library!
It really is an improvement over the old Carnegie Library. It’s more inviting, especially to the children.
Great photos of the library, a peaceful and relaxing place to visit.
Libraries aren’t as peaceful as they used to be, but they are still quieter than many other public places.
The library is a place I associate with meditation and peace. It’s been a long time though I went to the local library here in Lagos.
They don’t keep American libraries as quiet as they used to. You can expect to hear some quiet conversations.
My library has always been my second home.The nearest library from my home is some 10 Kilometers away.I liked both the libraries near you.What surprised me is the aquarium and the puzzle pieces for the children. All the photos of the libraries and the park are beautiful.
Thank you. I think the new trend in libraries is to promote learning with more than just books. That’s why they have the puzzles, computers, and the aquarium.
I work in a public library and I found a lot of similarities.
Where is your library? What does it have for children besides books to enhance learning?
It’s nice to live near a library and books!!
Most of the books I read are no longer from the library, since most of my house is full of books I’ll never have time to read.