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Walking through Homer's Public Library
On January 24th, Library Director Dave Berry gave Councilmembers and community members alike a tour of the Homer Public Library. Below provides a brief overview of the fun facts learned while walking through the building.
The Homer Public Library is a mecca for more than just books. It’s a place in our community where all are welcome, and the resources provided at no cost range from web-based classes like Mango Languages to archival magazines and newspapers to youth programming (like afterschool chess and a visit from a former astronaut!). Last year alone, there were 128,476 visitors who checked out 169,428 items. Library staff who greet patrons at the front desk have their own unique specialties. One staff member maintains the Alaska Digital Library which holds more than 35,784 online resources while another is in charge of repairing books with experience gained from an educational background in museum archival work.
The building was at one point the first community building in Alaska to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and is constructed to expand width-wise if need be. The fireplace lounge supports local art year-round by hosting artists' inspirations on the surrounding walls for a three month period. If you would like to engage with books and art outside the building, the StoryWalk trail, which borders the library parking lot, features a rotating selection of children’s books mounted on posts beside the path.
The Library has such a large fan-base that the non-profit Friends of the Homer Public Library (FHL) formed to provide volunteer support for library programs and services, raise funds that enrich the library experience, and promote the use and enjoyment of the library. (If you’re curious about the history of libraries in Homer, please visit FHL’s history page here.)
By checking out materials, attending community programs, or using the Library’s online resources, you are supporting the Homer Public Library’s broader mission to foster education, personal well-being, cultural creativity, community engagement, and economic development.
There have also been facility tours at the Fire Station (Jan. 10th) and Old Police Station (Jan. 17th). The next City facility tour will be at the Public Works building on February 7th. If interested, please RSVP here!
A sneak peak at the book mending station.
Volunteer Nan Porter tends to a new book in need of a protective sleeve before going out to the floor.
The Friends of Homer Library run the Book Box program, which provides boxes of books to rural schools for several months at a time. Books are selected and packaged by FHL volunteers and then delivered to area teachers for their students to use.
The DVD/CD repair station.
Councilmember Evensen listens as Library Director Berry explains the different roles Library staff have.
What the other side of the book drop looks like!
Councilmember Hansen-Cavasos admires the fireplace lounge.
