libraries

The Carson City Library will launch a weeklong grand opening celebration of the new digital technology center, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Located on the second floor of the library annex, above the current Youth Department, the center has been introduced to computer-using patrons over the last several weeks and now the community is invited, according to a news release

Carson City Library has initiated a new library card status, Premiere, for users of the soon-to-be launched @ Two Digital Learning Center, located on the second floor of the library.

The late Reno resident Betty Heaston has donated more than $1.7 million to the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center to benefit programs, staff and operations. Heaston also made an additional bequest of more than $57,000 to create an endowment for student scholarships.

“Betty particularly loved her life in Reno and championed all the city had to offer,” said Forrest Bolles, Heaston’s nephew. “But she had a particular feeling for the University of Nevada, Reno, and was very proud that the city had a world-class institution of higher learning.”

What are we voting on? The only design that has some cost estimates is a grandiose wish list with artist’s renderings presented in July 2011 that has been pared down and down… down to what? Vote NO on CC #1.

Cost estimates vary from $28M to $49M (plus financing costs), depending on what’s included. Even with the tax hike, the intent is to raid NNDA, sewer, federal and private funds. Vote NO on CC #1.

The concept dated July 2011 shows a grandiose wish list for a public-private development. Where is the pared down wish list that CC #1 asks us to approve? Vote NO on CC #1.

Perhaps if Carson City wasn't so quick to give million-dollar tax breaks to move car dealerships down the street; and spend millions more on a tourist train the public doesn't even want, the city might not have to resort to divisive bond elections to fund basic services like libraries.

It's sad to see so many people unwilling to give something back to a community they claim to love. Unfortunately you're about as likely to get a good deal on a car from those grateful dealerships as the new V&T is to pay for itself.

Library Habits, Library Innovations

Let’s get real about the proposed new library. It will do nothing for downtown development and will not serve the twenty-first century needs of our community. I grew up in Indianapolis, went to college in Cincinnati, and lived and worked in San Diego, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. All have monstrous downtown libraries none of which slowed or prevented the decay of their downtowns. My brother, an activist Cincinnati developer for such
controversial efforts as stadiums and light rail, sees little community value to downtown libraries.

A previous letter (by Janice Ayers) has presented no new arguments FOR the KDC project, and failed to address the arguments made by people such as I and others who are against it. Instead, she engages in a childish ad hominem attack. That is exactly what I got in response to my first letter on this topic.

16 Questions about CC1

While few can claim to have all the answers about the CC1 advisory, concerning the funding of a new city library, here are a few questions that I think everyone might consider – especially those in our city government.

Why are libraries being closed and sold all over the country?

Why are universities closing and selling libraries?

How fast will all books be replaced with eBooks?

What is the future of the library in the Internet age?

How many books can I carry on my keychain flashdrive or in my smart cell phone or eBook reader?

Let me start with a disclaimer. I am not against libraries. I have an entire room dedicated to my books. But I have not used a library since I was in graduate school, because everything I needed for work was on-line or in a bookstore, too new to have made it into a library, public or private.

This information is in response to several recent letters to the editor that have proposed the consolidation of libraries in Carson City. Our goal is to provide our community a better understanding of the types of libraries in Carson City. It is true there are libraries who serve the public in Carson City, but Carson City Library is the only “public library.” The other libraries are not “public libraries” and here is how they differ:

Carson City Library Director Sara Jones was named the 2012 Nevada Library Association’s (NLA) Librarian of the Year at its 67th annual conference, held Oct. 4 & 5 at the Sahara West Library in Las Vegas. Jones joins the ranks of an elite group of librarians recognized for effective advancement and extension of library services; exemplary library management; notable activity in recruitment to the profession; statewide planning and for broadening the scope of library and information service to the community.

A “Yes” vote on CC-1 will increase our Carson City debt to over $250 million in dire economic times. For what? Another library at a total debt over $4,500 for every man, woman and child in Carson City! San Bernardino, which just went bankrupt, has one-third that per person debt! What’s the need?

We already have 31 libraries - four separate public libraries, libraries in each of the 12 public schools, three museum libraries, 11 private school libraries and the Business Resource Innovation Center library. The present

CARSON CITY – Democratic state Senate candidate Kelli Ross said today that she is the “union” candidate in the District 18 race in Las Vegas, while Republican Scott Hammond said he will listen to but not vote in lockstep with labor in the Legislature.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all; a key tool in achieving academic success! A number of libraries are celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month with various promotions and events.
The primary event at the Carson City Library will be a “Concert on the Grass at Your Library” Friday, September 28th from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in front of the library. Live music will be provided by “Deep Groove” a trio whose members are Mark Ashworth on drums and vocals, Dan Lancaster on sax, clarinet and flute, and John Shipley on keyboard and vocals.

Did you know that our relatively small community has 26 libraries which are not managed, operated or funded in an integrated way?

Each of the 22 private and public schools has its own library. Then there are four public libraries (Western Nevada College, city, State Library and Archives, State Law Library). Two of these libraries (State Library and Archives and the State Law Library) are woefully underutilized.

Why has the latest version of the City Center project been crafted outside of public view?

The city's recent announcement states the project is now $28 million (excluding interest expense), replacing the $49 million (excluding interest) proposed in September 2011 primarily because the multi-level parking garage has been removed.

The public doesn't know who came up with this abrupt change. However, we do know there were no public meetings about this project shift and the Nugget/City Center Advisory Committee hasn't met since August 2011.

Proponents and city officials fear the electorate's decision about City Center because when the record is examined, no impartial analysis can be produced justifying its necessity. Fact-based concerns have been raised by many, but intentionally ignored by city officials and proponents without careful analysis.

A vocal minority’s intermittent cheerleading promotes the massive City Center project. Their objective: replace the city library with a +$75 million, three-times-the-size library complex just east of the Nugget Casino. (The ‘official’ $49 million cost curiously excludes 30 years of interest payments.)

Absent from this well-intentioned, but ill-conceived project are viability, necessity and prudence.

The soaring atrium of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center at the University of Nevada, Reno has an unconventional tree on display this holiday season. Some would call it a green tree, not just because of its color, but because the tree is made entirely of recycled materials – old books.

The 9.5-foot tree was constructed using pre-1950 National Union Catalog books. The rarely used reference books made an ideal book tree, with their evergreen covers and gold lettering on the spine.

A forum to present new ideas to benefit all Nevada libraries brought about 120 participants to Carson City this past week.The Nevada Library Association concluded its two-day annual conference Frid...

I love libraries. You love libraries. All of us love libraries. But that doesn't mean we think city officials should spend more than $20 million taxpayer dollars to build a huge new library next do...

Libraries of the past were often quiet, stately structures, with a staff dedicated to checking books in and out and assisting patrons with research oriented questions. Today's Carson City Library i...

The Silver Stage Task Force’s 7th annual Wellness Fair is shaping up to be the best one yet, with live music by Queen Bee and the Dogheads, free kids’ immunizations and free health services and door prizes for all ages, healthy cooking demonstrations, Shriner’s clowns and a family fitness relay course.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Advocates for a tax hike on cigarettes and liquor made their case in the Nevada Legislature today, both to raise revenue and improve public health.
The proposal received a mixed reaction from lawmakers, and some lobbyist opposition, however, because of the negative consequences on business.

CARSON CITY – Advocates for a tax hike on cigarettes and liquor made their case in the Nevada Legislature today, both to raise revenue and improve public health.
The proposal received a mixed reaction from lawmakers, and some lobbyist opposition, however, because of the negative consequences on business.

At the request of Spread the Word Nevada, a local children's literacy nonprofit group, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval flew in from Carson City to Las Vegas on March 31 to read at Cambeiro Elementary School.

This was his last stop after visiting three other schools in Las Vegas, which concluded the governor's reading tour as part of Read Across America and Nevada Reading Month. During his first school visit in Reno on March 2 Sandoval signed a proclamation declaring March 2011 Nevada Reading Month.

SILVER SPRINGS, NEV — The Silver Stage Task Force is organizing its annual Wellness Fair featuring free health services, samples, and live entertainment for May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This big rural fair is designed to help residents shop around for the best information on health and wellness with over 40 booths.
The completely free community event is open to everyone, and promotes the full spectrum of wellness, from good nutrition, gardening, and fitness to preventative health care and treatment to volunteer, arts and educational opportunities.

Dayton Intermediate School’s newly developing school garden will boast two large sculptures by internationally known sculptor Mischell Riley.

Riley, who is well known for work such as the 3-story high bronze lion at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, has donated two of her pieces to enhance the school’s garden landscape.

CARSON CITY – Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford has sent an email to supporters and constituents suggesting the next two-year state budget is facing an attack from “extreme right-wing” interests who will use the current economic crisis to “dismantle our state.”