Talking loudly was the least of librarians’ concerns at the San Lucas Library, where graffiti became a nearly constant problem and librarians regularly found footprints on tables – and the ceiling. Eventually a sheriff’s deputy took to the library as a de facto field office.
“It really changed the whole tone, simply from [deputies] hanging out at the library,” says Jayanti Addleman, director of Monterey County Free Libraries. “In many small communities, we are the community center.”
When the San Lucas library closed in 2010 for repairs, it looked like it would be a temporary loss for the community of 250. But it’s now been more than six years: The building was beyond repair, and the soil was contaminated from earlier oil tank storage.
The county’s initial $150,000 repair budget ballooned to $1.6 million. Monterey County Free Libraries kicked in $258,000. Grants and donations covered the rest: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave $123,000 for cleaning the soil, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation gave $373,000 and the Sarmento family of Soledad gave $350,000.
Ralph Sarmento’s mother was born in San Lucas and worked as a librarian in Gonzales. Sarmento says the San Lucas library was an essential information source for him during his career with Pacific Gas & Electric, as he researched maps to establish power service in remote areas: “I did a lot of asking questions there.”
The new library includes a sheriff’s office and breaks ground May 12. It’s expected to open in December.
(1) comment
Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) has been successfully serving and inspiring the San Lucas community since 1916. Most people who use the library and MCFL's services are strong supporters and use the facilities as they are meant to be used.
Yes, there have been a few trouble makers, but that was just a small number. We are very grateful to the Sheriff's Deputies who stopped by regularly at our request when we had some trouble and connected with all the kids and the community at large.
Most of the library users were happy to come in and use the library as a place to study, check out books, use the computers and high-speed internet, and attend the regular story times and cultural programs. Closing the library was a real loss to the community and felt deeply by MCFL's staff, and we have continued to provide service during this period through the bookmobiles, the Library by Mail program, and our online services, including online homework help.
Please join us at the groundbreaking ceremony today, and visit this beautiful community in South Monterey County. For more information, please go to: http://montereycountyfreelibraries.org/press_releases.html
Thank you,
Jayanti Addleman
Library Director/County Librarian
Monterey County Free Libraries
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