Big Bear Lake/Big Bear Library
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/big-bear-city-ca
Demographics:
Population: 13,312
Median Household Income $43,838
Median Age 45.1
Median Property Value $248,800
The 5 largest ethnic groups in Big Bear City, CA are:
White (Non-Hispanic) (75%)
White (Hispanic) (19.7%)
Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.43%)
Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.28%)
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.556%).
0% of the households in Big Bear City, CA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language, and 97.1% of the residents in Big Bear City, CA are U.S. citizens.
Questions–Big Bear Public Library
How do they describe the community of Big Bear/Big Bear Lake?
Our community is family oriented, tourist destination, can get upwards of 30,000 people every weekend. We get visitors from out of town—with kids, etc. Snow day, indoor activity. Older population—a lot of retirees. More families than people think.
What do they see is the role of the Library in the community?
As with lots of other rural mountain communities, lots of home schoolers use the library—It’s their hub. Lots of in-person programming, STEM programming, staying on leading edge. Over 70% of circulations are family oriented. Lots of families are checking out print resources and using e resources. Lots of patrons come in to use computers. Some people live off the grid and come in to check out 20 DVDs. Families, computer users, retirees. Floating collection with the county system—32 libraries in the system. San Bernadino County Library System.
How would they describe the children’s collection?
The children’s collection is dynamic. Ina is one of five collection development librarians in the entire system. [Big Bear Library has the budget support to maintain a healthy influx of highly current materials—always order new books (if she thinks community wants to read it)]. Collection is inclusive of a wide range of interests. Very mindful of the types of families—home school families, audio books (long commutes to Costco, etc.), reluctant readers, something for everyone. The library observes heritage months in a respectful and socially acute way–taking extra time to figure out who is under umbrella that we’re trying to respect and honor.
What do they see is the role of the children’s collection in the community?
County library system has a vision that is from cradle to career. The Big Bear Library children’s collection role in the community is to serve as building blocks and concrete foundation for education. The idea is to serve much more than a supplement–more like the meat and potatoes of learning. Anyone from any income can come and enjoy the library for free. The environment of the children’s collection is nurturing; families associate joy of reading and learning with library. Kids are running in to use the library. Moms—you can see them saying “ahhh…we’re here.” The room itself and what it symbolizes is an invitation. Source of curriculum and joy.
Any standout features of the children’s collection?
The collection responds to patrons needs—we understand this is our target market and this is what they want: graphic novel collection (has workshops—trains families to let them know that this genre is FOR reluctant readers…plus easy reader section (significant, has it’s own spot, supporting children learning to read independently—if you are learning to read, here we are.) Three types of picture books—one to one (bedtime stories), one to many (librarian reading to group) + independent (easy readers). Do have YA graphic novels in their own section, plus kid’s graphic novels.
How would they describe the children’s collection in relation to local demographics?
Mindful of number of home school families they have…keep everything current…families burning through books—teaching children the latest science, etc. Have had a lot of families that have moved to the mountains—have a lot of focus on 0-5. Programs bleed into up to 11 years old, then have teen programs as well. Collection reflects that—lots of board books and picture books.
Other comments?
Devote a lot of time and energy to ebook and online database collection. Digital resources are county wide. Scholastic databases.. Freedomflix, Scienceflix.
Three and Some Trees 