Library’s Early Learning Center inspires children’s imaginations
The new Vancouver Community Library in downtown Vancouver is a way-cool, updated place that beckons everyone, for free, with five floors and a lot more to offer than folks might think.
And that includes — worth noting in view of the continuing unemployment problem — ways to take free computer classes on all levels, learn about jobs and get some personal help from a librarian to find job-hunting resources.
Approaching the front entryway on a chilly day, you might see a young mom and dad spilling outside with two bouncing, bundled-up children, hair flying in the wind and dad carrying a 2-foot stack of kids’ picture books.
A Norman Rockwell moment.
If you haven’t been to a public library for a while, you might be surprised.
Once inside, you’ll find the building at East Evergreen Boulevard and C Street has a capacity for 350,000 books that circulate around the 13-branch Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. This main library opened in July.
And it’s always fun to check out the periodicals:
Guns & Ammo? Homeschooling Today? The New York Times? Food & Wine? GQ? Flyfishing & Tying Journal? The Congressional Digest? The Gay & Lesbian Review?
They’re all there waiting, along with Harpers, Flying, Good Housekeeping, Fur-Fish-Game and many more.
And there’s a special place called Teen Central for ages 12 to 19, with dream-level video games hooked up to big-screen wall monitors.
Adults and younger children are kept to a minimum in this area, where kids can read popular fiction, play cards and get some help with homework, said Jericho Knight, a senior librarian assistant.
Some might say these kids would be better advised to seek out the first-floor computer commons, equipped with all-new stations where anyone, young and old, can use one free for an hour per day if they have a library card.
There are 24 computer stations in the general area and another 12 in the classroom, which offers a schedule of topics including Searching the Internet, Word Processing and Online Photo Editing. There’s an evening computer class for Russian speakers.
So much job-lab and computer-skill work is available here free that one wonders whether learning here might be a better choice than spending money on some of the heavily advertised online schools, especially the ones that are unaccredited and don’t carry much clout with employers.
The computer commons tech desk is certainly a good place to ask questions for anyone hungry for a job.
A nice touch for people with disabilities: The computer tables move up and down to allow folks in wheelchairs to use them. And on the fourth floor is equipment to help people with visual impairments enjoy the resources.
So is this library obsolete, as one Columbian commenter claimed that all are?
“The usage of this facility sure indicates it’s not obsolete,” said Karin Ford, the building manager.
Each day, 1,500 to 1,600 people come to use it, she said.
But what about us weary, footsore adults — what are the sweetest deals for us?
Hands down, it’s the fifth-floor reading room, with comfortable chairs and tables and a fabulous view of Portland across the Columbia River. And through glass doors, there’s a deck to catch some air and feel like this is a good place for everybody.
