b'Were here for you. that supports the system. Residents support libraries every time they buy something in the county: Measure A, originally FROM PAGE 5 approved by voters in 1998, was extended in 2016 to add .25 At its core, a library is a placepercent to the countys sales tax specifically for libraries. It where people can go to learnbrings in roughly $6 million every year, Wilczek says.about what they want to learnWe are very lucky in this county to be funded through a about, Wilczek says. dedicated sales tax. Part of the reason Im here is the funding And local libraries can do thatfor the library is unheard-of good, Wilczek adds. Measure A thanks to the folks who valuewill sunset in 2031, when voters will consider renewing it.them. We have an amazing andPart of what Ill be doing the next five to six years is supportive library communitymaking sure we are always in service to Measure A, making here, he adds. sure were living up to the promise we made to the county While libraries connect peopleGrass Valley Branch Managerin exchange for the wonderful funding weve been entrusted with the information they wantAubree Burkholder with, Wilczek says. to find, they also evolve to provide that information in newHis big goals center on improving and expanding our and different forms as technology allows. The countys branchcollections, services for seniors and kids, and improving and associated libraries offer internet connection and onlineour facilities.resources. If you have a library card, you can check out musicalSince Wilczek arrived in mid-2020, the Penn Valley branch instruments and download automotive repair instructions tohas expanded into a larger space, and the Bear River branch your iPad. If you work during library hours, no worries: At twohas moved into its own quarters.local branches, you can get a swipe card that lets you in afterIt really speaks how progressive our library is, in terms of closing time. services, Wilczek says. Thats like, little ol Nevada County, Theyrealsoakindofcommunitycenter:Socialserviceweve got state-of-the-art libraries.agencies hold office hours at local branches so people can getNew technology has been an enormous part of the systems the help they need. Book clubs meet here. Your organization canability to expand what it offers. Thanks to online resources, schedule meetings in the space. You can take your children andpeople can prepare for college entrance exams, explore new grandchildren to puppet shows and Lego play groups. You cancareer possibilities, find resources for a make friends amid doodle art and pouring paint over clay pots. WHAT OURBut, first things first: Paper books are safe. We asked Nevada County LibrarianLIBRARIES Wilczek chuckles. Take a deep breath. Theyre still our No. 1Nick Wilczek: What are three thingsNEEDthing, he says. But he admits to a growing reliance on e-books.the Nevada County Library system FROM USI have gotten to the point where I finally prefer havingmost needs from us, the residents multiple books on one device thats easy to carry around. of this county, to fulfill its mission? Heres what he said:Learn, grow, be state-of-the-art In the late 1700s, founding father Benjamin Franklin wrote I need people to keep using the that libraries play an essential role in preparing people to belibrary and continue having responsible citizens in a democracy (story, page 14). A centuryhigh expectations of us.\x07later, libraries sprang up across the United States as AmericansContinue loving the library. embraced the importance of education, not just for the well- Bring your kids! If you havent been to the library in a year or so, off, but for all classes including women and people of color. challenge yourself to just show up Today, our nation is home to nearly 124,000 publicand see whats going on. I think libraries, the American Library Association estimates. Inyoud be surprised.\x07Nevada County, we boast six branch and associated libraries,Continue letting us know what plus historical archives and a vibrant volunteer associationyou need from us.'