LIFE& STYLE | It takes a city full of volunteers to ....

Improve a city.

I just had a party at my house last Sunday. 

It took half a village to make that party a success.

My mom and I made delicious foods. My husband cleaned the carpets. My dad cleaned the yard. My aunts brought homemade pastry and salads. My good friend Vida made Brownie bites. 

My friend Zari helped me serve more than 50 cups of tea. My friend Roya helped me clean up the table. It was a good party thanks to everyone who pitched in to help.

This brings me to the issue of VOLUNTEERING.

Have you ever considered volunteering at Chavez Library?

Our Chavez volunteers have been helping the library by giving the library the gift of their time. 

Our volunteers' dedication has enabled the library to run smoothly despite all the staff shortages due to budget cuts, hiring freezes and retirements. 

• We have literacy volunteers who teach adult learners to read and write.

• We have volunteers who shelve books or process returned items.

• We have volunteers who help out kids with their homeworks on Wednesdays.

I think our library is blessed to have these volunteers.
 
But Chavez Library needs more of these wonderful volunteers.

If you have a few hours a week to spare, consider volunteering at Chavez Library.

Just pickup an application from the customer service or reference desk. To be a volunteer you should be at least 14 years old.

Let me tell you something.

Since I work full-time, I can only volunteer one hour/week at my child's school. I grade papers and update her class bulletin board. Sometimes the students just read me books.

By volunteering an hour a week, I am giving my child's teacher an hour of free time. This benefits all the kids in that classroom. There are other working parents in that classroom who volunteer as well. All these efforts add up and I am certain that it would have an impact on these kids futures.

Most of us in this economy might not have money to donate to good causes, but we can all volunteer our time for worthy causes.

It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

So if you can spare a few hours a week, please consider volunteering at Chavez Library. 

Let's give our wonderful library a helping hand. 

Let's remember President Kennedy's words of wisdom :
  
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Signing off until next Monday- Panteha

Life & Style | Chavez Library Tours

Did I tell you that I am giving Library tours starting January 23rd?

It is going to be on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm.

I am so excited.

I know from personal experience that libraries might sometimes feel a bit intimidating.
 
Where to start? One might ask.

A library tour is a good place to start, I guarantee it.

I think people sometimes don't realize all the free services available to them in the library.

For example, did you know that you can checkout pre-loaded Nooks from your library for free?

So come over and and I will personally show you around.

You might even meet our library ghost.

Don't laugh. There might be one you know.

I am gonna tell you a secret; just between you and me.

Years ago, when I got hired at Chavez library, the typewriter of Harriet Chalmers Adams; the famous American explorer, was sitting right in the middle of my work station for months. I didn't dare move it from my desk for months thinking that it was part of the landscape. But every once in a while I could hear this soft noise coming from it. I am not kidding, I am dead serious.

I am happy to report that that typewriter is no longer sitting on my desk scaring the bejeezus out of me.

Any way,

Here are some facts about Cesar Chavez Library:

• Chavez Library was opened on September 19, 1964.

• Chavez Library was build at a cost of $1,750,000.

• 22,144 visited Chavez Library this November.

• Chavez Reference Staff answered 3650 reference questions in the month of Nov 2012 alone.

• 24,144 items were checked out of the Chavez library in Nov 2012.

  
Knowing your library resources can be as useful as knowing how to change a flat tire.  

So if you are free on a Wednesday, come over to Cesar Chavez for a quick library tour at 4:00 pm. The Tour begins in front of the first floor customer service desk.

You never know, You might end up eating a cookie or two at the end of your Library tour.

Signing off until next Monday- Panteha