{"id":75413,"date":"2017-10-03T18:15:06","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T00:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/sheek-libraries-change-lives-and-strengthen-communities\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T16:51:16","slug":"sheek-libraries-change-lives-and-strengthen-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/sheek-libraries-change-lives-and-strengthen-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Sheek: Libraries change lives and strengthen communities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Karen
Karen Sheek<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Technology has brought a new dimension to today\u2019s libraries, but their mission continues to focus on inspiring life-long learning, developing a love of reading and advancing knowledge while continuing to strengthen our communities through a variety of programs that span all age groups.<\/p>\n

The modern library evolved over time. Today\u2019s libraries are much more than receptacles for books. Cortez Library patrons are expected to check out 100,000 hard copy items this year, but 31 percent of those will be DVDs, with e-book and e-audio circulation already up 15 percent over last year.<\/p>\n

The library subscribes to a number of databases. These are online catalogs or indexes which provide vetted articles on a wide range of topics \u2013 from car repair guides to newspaper articles on a variety of topics to details on millions of U.S. businesses \u2013 as well as a database offering more than 50 digital magazines. Today, patrons can download materials from our local library without even going into the library! Set up an \u201cOverdrive\u201d or \u201cOne Click\u201d digital account (library staff can help you with this) and suddenly you have a world of e-books and e-audio books accessible from anywhere.<\/p>\n

Many patrons come in just to use the computers. The other day I visited with a tourist who had come in to check her email. After the Excelsior plant fire in Mancos, several folks used the library\u2019s computers to research possible jobs. Many companies accept only online applications, so a computer with internet access is critical, and the library fills that need for patrons.<\/p>\n

Many of our residents do research using library computers, take online classes and even type research papers. A printer is available \u2013 the first five pages are free, and cost 25 cents per page after that.<\/p>\n

The library is a meeting place with a conference room small groups can reserve and small study rooms for student groups and local professionals to meet with clients.<\/p>\n

Technology has also made it easier for patrons to manage their borrowing. If you have internet access, go online at www.cityofcortez.com\/Index.aspx?NID=141<\/a> to browse the library catalog. With a library card, you can reserve materials, save favorites to your library account, renew materials or see if you have a fine. To set up your account, go to the online card catalog at cortezpl.insigniailsusa.com\/Library\/Home<\/a>, click on \u201cMy Account,\u201d then \u201cMy Info.\u201d Type in your Patron ID, which is the full number on your library card, then enter your password, which is your last name all lower case, and you\u2019re set.<\/p>\n

Our library has an outstanding staff that continually explores new ideas for engaging the community. The library offers a weekly story time for youngsters \u2013 along with story time at the Cortez Farmers\u2019 Market during the summer and fall \u2013 and a fantastic summer reading program.<\/p>\n

Teens interested in a book club can inquire about the \u201cGreat Stories Book Club.\u201d Individuals needing computer tutoring can get it for free upon request. \u201cLiterary Fridays\u201d offer a variety of interesting programs every third Friday and, on the second Thursday of each month, the library teams up with the Sunflower Theatre to present a documentary or classic movie (free to the public, although a $5 donation is suggested.)<\/p>\n

New this fall, a series of monthly events for children is scheduled for the days when school is released for staff work days. The first will be a \u201ccraft-a-palooza\u201d on Sept. 29. Call the library for details at 565-8117.<\/p>\n

Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist who donated $50 million to build libraries throughout the world, wrote, \u201cA library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never-failing spring in the desert.\u201d As such, libraries are one of the best investments a community can make \u2013 in themselves and in their future.<\/p>\n

Our library averages about 3,000 visitors a week \u2013 more visitors than the recreation center \u2013 which translates to 156,000 patrons a year passing through its doors, but unlike the rec center, there is no charge to use the library. It is primarily funded through city taxes with some funding from the county, state and federal governments, along with small grants.<\/p>\n

As you might imagine, the dollars never seem to stretch far enough. If you value our library and have the time, consider joining the \u201cFriends of the Library.\u201d They provide service and help raise funds for special library projects. Or, consider purchasing a book or making a monetary donation in honor or memory of a friend or loved one.<\/p>\n

As novelist Sidney Sheldon wrote, \u201cLibraries change lives for the better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who wouldn\u2019t want to have a part in doing that?<\/p>\n

Karen Sheek is the mayor of Cortez, a position elected by Cortez City Council members. Reach her at ksheek@cityofcortez.com<\/a> or during her office hours from 12:30 \u2013 1:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sheekdu1-i-syn Technology has brought a new dimension to today\u2019s libraries, but their mission continues to focus on inspiring life-long learning, developing a love of reading and advancing knowledge while continuing to strengthen our communities through a variety of programs that span all age groups. The modern library evolved over time. Today\u2019s libraries are much […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75414,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[125],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-75413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-newsletter-opinion"],"acf":[],"author_name":"dh_admin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75413"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75472,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75413\/revisions\/75472"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75413"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=75413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}