b'Neef says. Its that sense of adventure and exploration and Penn Valleychance the chance encounter that we dont get anymore.Its also Penn Valley, which means, in the summertime, folks pop in still wearing their swim suits to pick up books or Library participate in an event.We have really awesome ladies and some gentlemen who are in their 90s, Neef says. They come in every week and pick up their books. Theyre still reading and staying sharp.Randomness fuelsActivities include book clubs: One for science nonfiction is especially popular with men. We have a lot of retired scientists exploration, adventure. in our community, Neef explains. Partners include Gold Vibe Kombuchery in Grass Valley, where they meet. When the group Partnerships form aread, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Neef brought in an art teacher, who community living room. encouraged the group to doodle during the meeting.Other partnerships include the county Office of Emergency W hen Meghan Neef was little, her grandfather wouldServices. During major heat waves, the Penn Valley and other take her to the local library. All the time. At one point,branches open as cooling centers, offering ice water, snacks, she was interested in dance, and in the Dewey Decimalfree internet and a place to bring pets. We use the space like a System that organizes library collections, dance books stackcommunity living room, Neef says.next to opera. By the time Neef was 12, she had read everyServices for veterans, free mobile hotspots, sign-ups for opera libretto they had. Medicare and child support, and help for people learning English also are available. The library also provides books and outreach Penn Valley Libraryto people at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility.Branch Manager Meghan Neef sitsThe branch opened in 2002 in the Lake Wildwood Shopping in her favorite spot:Center, across Penn Valley Road from the entrance to Lake on a soft, squishy bench by a window,Wildwood. In 2021, it moved to a larger space in the same where she can see theshopping center, and now offers outdoor patio seating, a trees and bask in thecommunity meeting room and an area for childrens story time.morning light.Penn Valley LibraryBranch Manager: Meghan Neef11252 Pleasant Valley RoadPenn Valley, CA 95946(530) 432-5764www.NevadaCountyCA.gov/367/Penn-Valley-LibraryPhoto by Betsey Severn Popular books at the libraryLibraries offer that sense of adventure Flying off the shelves at the Penn Valley branch:and exploration, the chance encounterJames by Percival Everett (a novel from the perspective of the that we dont get anymore. character Jim from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) Meghan Neef Anything by Amor Towles, especially A Gentleman in Moscow, Penn Valley Branch Manager The Lincoln Highway and Table for TwoThe librarian thought I was really weird, but The Survivors series by Erin Hunter encouraged her to watch opera on television, Neef recalls. Now the branch manager at the Penn Valley Library, Neef lets those memories shape her approach to the branchsWhatever the cost oftwo largest groups of clients: families with children, and seniors. And often, its seniors coming in with theirour libraries, the price grandchildren. is cheap compared to an In addition, Neef values the joyful randomness ofignorant nation. libraries that can spark surprising interests. Libraries offer unsupervised, unstructured time with literallyWalter Cronkite, American journalistany subject you can imagine. Its such a treasure trove, 2024 Western Nevada County Edition SENIOR DIRECTORY 11'