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“I love this library!” A fellow San Manuel Library user said that to me one day and I had to agree. I, too, love having a library here in San Manuel.
It may look small from the inside, and it is; but, because it is linked to the Pinal County Library system, consisting of 12 libraries and access to the books held in the Central Arizona College libraries located at the three campuses, it provides me- an avid reader, researcher and writer- and the citizens of San Manuel with a massive library in a small building. This was a concern for me when I moved here four years ago, but I have been very pleased. I have not missed my several-thousand-square-foot big-city library at all.
The biggest difference between the library I left in Texas and the one in San Manuel is the funding. Here, the library desk is maintained by volunteers. Many have been volunteers for several years and are glad to help you with any questions, faxing, or getting your request filled. Unlike libraries in incorporated cities that are funded through the city tax base, there is no tax base for the San Manuel Library. San Manuel is an unincorporated town.
Pinal County provides the computers, the internet access and a majority of the library materials, as well as a small annual grant. However, all of that is useless to the user of the library if the lights are not on.
So where does this library get a majority of the money to operate? Part of the money comes from a few things: the fines collected on overdue items, the small fees charged for the use of the printers/copier/ fax machine, and the annual book sales /on-going book sales in the library. But, the lion’s share of operating income is from people like you and I. Those who drop coins or dollars in the donation box located on the checkout desk and from those who send in checks or cash during the library’s annual fundraising drive, and, throughout the year.
It takes your dollars, and my dollars, to ensure that there is a library here in San Manuel. Every quarter, dollar or donation check helps not only to keep the lights on but the heating and cooling, as well as the alarm system, the fire alarm system, and the insurance on not only the library building, proper, but, the community center building across the street. The money that comes in also helps to buy some books and DVDs that the county does not provide and to support programs such as the Summer Reading Program (along with an expanding series of programs for the community).
So what is available here in San Manuel at YOUR public library? There is free internet access that is available for use with your personal electronic device and the library’s four laptops, six desktop computers and a teen room with five computers for gaming or teen use for school.
There are two B&W/color printers to print from the in-house computers for a small fee, and a large copier with fax capabilities for public use, for a small fee. A new service that began in January is a digitalization station. You now have the ability to convert your personal memory VHS tapes, slides and audio cassettes and save them to a flash drive (copyright prevents converting any commercial movies). This is a free service that only requires setting up an appointment since the copying is in real time. I have my daughter’s wedding to convert for my grandson.
The library also stays up-to-date on the latest movies, books and graphic novels, audiobooks. The movies nominated for an Academy Award this year are or will be available for checkout at the library for a seven-day loan. If there is an older movie you want to see, it can be requested from one of the other libraries. The same is true with books. I am reading the Alex Cross books by James Patterson, so, I have requested the ones not in San Manuel from other libraries. If you are wanting to research a topic, you can find the books you need in the Pinal County Library System. I have been researching one of the hot social issues and have found more than a dozen books on the topic. If you are wanting to binge-watch your favorite show, the library has an extensive collection of T.V. series on DVD and can usually order, from other libraries, the seasons or series not available in San Manuel.
The library also sponsors various events for the community such as a genealogy workshop and a conversational Spanish class, as well as various children’s activities throughout the year. Other events are in the planning stage.
You may think that you have no use for a library card, but, I have met people who didn’t have internet access at home, but, needed access due to a trip or needed to take care of some business that required printing off a form from some business. They can get a card and take care of their business knowing that if they needed to do it again they could. Or, their child had a book for required reading, but, they didn’t want to go buy a copy for the class.With a card, if the book is in the system, they could have it in a week, less if available in San Manuel.
So one never knows when a card may come in handy and if you have never had one, they are free. Get one for each member of the family. If you have lost your card, a replacement is available for only two dollars. On my card I can check out three movies, eight books, and two games.
The library is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, and, closed on national holidays.
So, yes, like my fellow library user, I love having this library here. And I hope it stays for years to come.
/s/ Tony Collins
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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