We all know that visiting libraries is one of the best parts of being on a vacation, right? (It definitely is!) When employees of CMLE HQ travel, of course we visit libraries along the way!
I was able to warm up a little last week, visiting family that winters in Arizona, and of course I wanted to make sure I stopped by the local library. I was so proud to learn that my family was familiar with the location of the nearest branch and had already visited multiple times! Libraries are great resources to have handy.
Pima County Public Library has several different branches. The one I was able to visit was the Mission Library. The library is “committed to being a center of opportunity for our community.”
This library was packed on a rare rainy day in Tucson, and was welcoming right from the start! We love the “Libraries are for Everyone” signs! Even better, they had the signs in both English and Spanish.
This gorgeous art was displayed prominently in the library’s entryway and proclaims their dedication to serving their community!
Across from the art was a very full whiteboard that detailed upcoming events. Some of them included Read to a Dog (a very cute fluffy one), Citizenship Classes, Teen Time, After School Fun & Games, English Classes, and Job Help! Libraries provide incredible programs for their community members.
When you enter the main library area, right away you can see all of the resources available. There’s a handy book display of New Releases and straight ahead is the computer area. (It was packed full!) The library has definitely adapted to accommodate their many patrons that may not be permanent residents. I needed to use a computer and printer and was assisted by a helpful librarian who gave me a guest login and showed me how to sign up for a spot. They even had designated computers for Job Help or those that would only require 15 minutes to complete their online work! Definitely convenient.
After using the computer, I was able to wander around the library and was so impressed with everything I saw. There was more great art, a ceiling made to let in natural light, meeting rooms, a Teen area marked with fun neon lighting, and more that I’m sure I missed.
It was fun to wander through the stacks and see the little details that the library has added to make browsing more convenient for their patrons. The Dewey Decimal system can be tricky, and this library has helpfully placed markers on the shelves to make locating materials easier.
Next, it was on to the Children’s area, which was very bright and cheerful. There were toys (my son tested them and approved) as well as coloring activities, a Spanish language section, and appropriately sized tables and chairs for young readers.
On the way out I was distracted by this excellent display for Black History Month. The side pictured has books for younger readers and the other side features picks for teens and adults. Way to make sure all ages can appreciate the importance of this month’s holiday!
Thanks to the Mission Library for such a fun afternoon experience! If you are interested in checking out library news or exploring other Pima County Public Library locations, make sure to visit their website.
If you go on a trip and happen to visit a library, take some pictures and send them to us! We’d love to include you in our Vacation Library Visit series!
The Book Sale room is nice and prominent! I love to visit libraries – but it’s hard to find books I love, and cannot check out. So I do always enjoy library book sales. As it’s obviously out of the question for me to leave any library without books in my hands, this gives me a way to support the library, and also have fun vacation books!
You can see this tree in the above photos, but it’s worth a closer look. Doesn’t it make you want to curl up and read books?? (I maintained a little dignity, and did NOT crawl into the tree to check it out…but it was a close thing!)
The library had several levels but was open concept so I was able to get a good view as I climbed higher. Lots of places to read, work on computers, or learn from a variety of computerized displays.
There were lots of seating options, although I had to be careful around certain pieces of fragile furniture, like this couch. The sign reads (in both English and French): “This sofa is probably older than your grandmother. Please sit down gently, as you would on her knees.”