Op-Ed: Beyond books, the library offers free ways to create, explore and connect
If you’ve looked at your credit card bills and decided that all you’ll be able to do for the balance of January is sit on the couch with a bowl of Top Ramen (I’m partial to the soy flavor), now’s the perfect time to be reminded of all the things that the library has to offer.
Yes, the Napa County Library has around 180,000 or so books (plus access to millions more through our Link+ partnership with more than 50 libraries in California). And books are definitely our business. But if you haven’t visited in a while, it’s time to take a closer look at all that we have to offer — both in terms of collections and programming.
I’ll focus on creative ways to kick off the new year in American Canyon, but these programs are just the first brushstroke and opening measures to what the library has to offer.
For teens and adults, we encourage you to Draw What You See as part of our ongoing di Rosa Art Workshop series featuring local artist and teacher Terese Edestam and Hugo Corro from the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art on Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pro tip: You can visit the di Rosa for free, along with dozens of other museums and cultural venues in the Bay Area, by checking out Discover & Go on our website.
If you’re enjoying the final installments of “Stranger Things,” our Saturday Crafternoons: Stranger Things Rock Painting program on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 12 to 2:00 p.m. is sure to be lots of fun for the whole family (note: Vecna and Demogorgons not invited).
These low-stress, no cost programs are a great way to start the new year off connecting to the arts and your community.
Feeling ready to strike out on your own? The American Canyon Library has access to literally thousands of “things,” many of which help inspire you to paint, cook or build something new. From watercolor pencils, paintbrushes and sewing machines to cookie cutters, cake pans and more. We have books and videos, both the physical and streaming variety, to help guide you. I’m particularly fond of our Pantone guides that show you virtually every color and shade plus the book “Pantone on Fashion: A Century of Color in Design.”
One of the great things about checking out items from the library instead of buying them — beyond the obvious benefit of saving money — is the freedom to experiment without long-term commitment. Not every hobby, skill or interest ends up being the right fit, and the library offers a low-pressure way to explore without regret. You’re free to be curious, to try something new and to change your mind. For example, if you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, you can check one out from the library, spend a few weeks practicing, and find out whether it’s something you truly enjoy before investing in your own instrument. If you discover it’s not quite for you, there’s no guilt or wasted expense. Plus, you’ll know you gave it a shot.
And the exploration doesn’t have to stop there. If the guitar doesn’t click but you still have that musical itch, the library gives you the chance to branch out and experiment with other instruments like a ukulele, keyboard, steel drum or even a steel tongue drum (which, despite the similar names, are two very different instruments). While you’re discovering new sounds, you can also check out vinyl records from the library (and even the record player) making it easy to explore different genres and artists in a hands-on way.
If you prefer music on the go, but have let your Spotify, Apple Music or Amazon Music subscription lapse because of the seemingly never-ending price increases, the library has you covered there too. Through Hoopla, our digital streaming service, you have access to literally millions of songs and albums, allowing you to explore, discover, and enjoy music anytime, anywhere — no subscription required.
If you’ve read any of my prior columns you might have read our mission statement for the Napa County Library: “Enriching lives with books and information.”
Our Library of Things and our diverse selection of programs for all ages are just two ways we strive to achieve that mission.
Finally, end the month of January on a high note and celebrate our grand reopening. During the month of December, the American Canyon Library was closed for an extensive remodel. This included new carpet, paint, furniture, entry and much more. We hope you’ll come celebrate with us on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crafts, games and perhaps even a monkey or two will help us kick off the year in our renewed space.
The American Canyon Library is open six days per week:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday from 12 to 8 p.m.
Call the library at (707) 644-1136
Or visit online at www.napalibrary.org
