News Release
In a unanimous vote at their last quarterly meeting of 2013, the Carson City Library Foundation agreed to commit $33,000 toward renovating and furnishing the library auditorium to house the new Digitorium, a proposed space build-out for around 20 MacBook Pro computers, high tech software and more.
Approximately $22,000 in residual private matching monies that helped open the library’s first digital space in January of 2012 will also be used for the project, targeted for completion by late spring of 2014.
Libraries have always responded to the information needs of their respective communities, and the Carson City Library has gone above and beyond to provide free Internet, digital technology and computer skills instruction.
Moreover, acknowledging how intently the Carson City Supervisors and Carson City School District emphasize education in all its forms, the Carson City Library is arguably the community’s most valuable resource where all residents can link to essential online resources and platforms. Reliable Internet connections as well as state of the art computers make the public library a true digital toolbox. It is a no cost place to sharpen technology skills and learn new ones.
“Over the last three years, the Carson City Library has steadily moved to add significant technology tools and services,” said Tammy Westergard, Interim Library Director. “Transliteracy skills combine the ability to read and write with using digital tools and media such as computers, smart phones, e-readers and tablets to communicate, acquire information, and perform a multitude of other functions. These are facts of life in the 21st Century.
“The Digitorium will further the library’s ability to be a meaningful link to help reinforce these skills and more. Focus is on the youth, particularly teens, to help them become makers of digital content and in the process develop marketable skills.”
Currently auditorium space houses the Friends of the Library Bookstore and meeting space. Over the next five to six monthsthe Bookstore is moving across the street to 711 E. Washington Street, where it will greatly expand its space and hours. In addition to expanding bookstore business, the Friends also hope to host various topical, author and book-signing events.
Groups that met in the auditorium will continue to do so in the Digitorium’s open space area, or convene in the Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC), at 108 East Proctor Street, Carson City.
“This is a win in so many ways,” said Pam Graber, CCLF president. “The library stands tall to serve the needs of its patrons, theFriends of the Library will have more space and more bookstore hours, and the Foundationis delighted to help make it all happen.”
Photo: Pam Graber, chair of the Carson City Library Foundation, left, and Phyllis Patton, president of the Friends of the Library announce the creation of a new Digitoriam at the Carson City Library, during a special joint meeting of the Carson City School District Board of Trustees and the Board of Supervisors, at the Community Center, in Carson City, Nev., on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013.
