Kern County Library System
https://www.facebook.com/tehachapilibrary/
Demographics—city:
Population: 12753
Median Household Income: $46,823.00
Median Age: 37.6
Median Property Value: $196,400.00
Poverty Rate: 22.3%
The 5 largest ethnic groups in Tehachapi are: white and Hispanic.
White (Non-Hispanic): 65.4%
White (Hispanic): 37.9%
Two+ (Non-Hispanic) : 3.5%
Asian (Non-Hispanic): 0.1%
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 1.4%
Native: 1.7%
Questions: Andrea Mason Branch Supervisor Has been in position two or so weeks.
How do they describe the community of Tehachahpi?
Diverse community as far as age goes. Definite growth in terms of young families. Not much ethnic diversity.
What do they see is the role of the Library in the community?
Basically, allowing for access to all sorts of information, whether that is technology or printed materials, or accessing maker spaces (access to technology beyond information tech—maker space still developing—have acquired most of the equipment but need to do more.)
How would they describe the children’s collection?
I know that our acquisitions librarian is really striving to build diversity into the collection. Now that publishers are representing more diversity, library is purchasing more in that area—more current publications are diverse. Note: there is one acquisitions librarian for entire service area.
What do they see is the role of the children’s collection in the community?
Role is exposure to various ideas and cultures plus printed material in general. Giving children access to using imagination with picture books and giving them access to information in non-fiction—creating love of learning through books. That has to be done by having a wide variety books to choose from.
Any standout features of the children’s collection?
Collection of native American content in juvenile and adult collections.
How would they describe the children’s collection in relation to local demographics?
Only has been here a very short time in this position—not aware of requests to acquire specific topics.
Other comments?
Children’s collection is probably is one of the greatest draws to the library—largest circulation. Many adults will request books from other libraries, but most in-house circulation is in children’s collection.
Story times just started again. Fridays. Did have partnerships with schools before covid started. A lot of home school groups would meet in public library.
Three and Some Trees 