Connections are what matter most

From the director's desk
February 16, 2021
Over the past year, Sacramento Public Library has learned to connect and show our love to our community in new ways. 
 
We’re back! 20 locations are open. You can browse, pick out your own books and Things. (Yes, the Library of Things is lending again at Arcade!) We also continue to provide those things libraries do best: storytimes and author visits—all virtual, of course. Speaking of authors, we’re thrilled to virtually host Lesa Cline-Ransome on February 23 thanks to Words Take Wing, Syed M. Masood at our Quarantainment bookclub on March 6, and so many more.
 
Sacramento Public Library is a strong community partner and we pride ourselves in helping our region. Whether it is in building a literate community, engaging in meaningful discussion about important topics, celebrating our diversity through Black History Month offerings, remembering beloved librarian Pura Belpré, or observing Day of Remembrance; the library is here for the community.
 
Sometimes we show our love by doing things that aren’t always 100% about being a library. For the past several weeks, the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria has served as a warming center. Library staff has been there to make sure that our guests are safe, that city and county officials can deliver the resources needed, and ensure that the facility works for everyone. It isn’t always easy to work all day and return in the evening to assist. Sometimes the pain and tragedy that our unsheltered neighbors have faced makes them unreachable. But witnessing a man gently wipe his wife’s face as they settle into a small corner and receiving a chocolate heart from a guest who tells me how much he loves Valentine’s Day, remind me that we are all connected.
 
As a librarian, I believe those connections are what matter most.