AUGUST 201 4 SUNRAYS | 49
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
Nancy is the representative for the
Sun City Texas Library. Questions?
Email
with “Library Column” in the sub-
ject line.
News from the SC Stacks
By Nancy Davis
T
here has not been a status report
on the Library since the last ame-
nities were planned circa 2006,
and it seems that a report to our patrons
would be appreciated. In this article, I
will compare the statistics available
from 2006 with those available today.
Volunteers
In 2006, the library was managed by
14 volunteers, most of whom had been
with the library for several years. They
shelved returned books about three or
four times each day; it was an informal
system in which a volunteer would drop
by the library and notice an accumula-
tion of books in the return basket. At
present, we have 34 volunteers, with
more asking every month to become part
of the Friends of the Library. We are now
more organized and try to have a volun-
teer on duty most of the day each day.
Books and audio/video materials are be-
ing taken in and returned constantly,
and the recently added larger book re-
turn fills quickly if someone is not avail-
able to shelve the books. Our volunteers
are also on hand to answer questions
and to help patrons find a special book.
Donations
About 400 books were estimated to be
donated per month in 2006. Of the 400,
about 100-200 were added to the collec-
tion. Presently, we estimate 1,000 books
and audio/videos are donated each
month; however, we only keep about
half of these donations—when we add to
our library, we must subtract about the
same amount due to space limitations.
To manage new donations in 2006, we
used an armoire to store the new books
before labeling and a large tool box to
store labels, pens and other supplies.
Eight years later, we have our resources
spread out: in one tall cabinet, two lobby
wall cabinets, one credenza, the same
tool box, and a closet in my home! We
store new donations, culled books, label-
ing and audio/video supplies, book sup-
ports and signs in these locations.
A/V Section
Our collection of videos and audio books
has increased rapidly. In 2006, all videos
and audio books were displayed on one
revolving carousel having six levels of
shelves (a total of 24 shelves that held
about four VHS tapes each). After we in-
stalled the A/V shelves about three years
ago, this section became a very popular
area. We have 13 shelves for audio books
and eight shelves for videos and DVDs,
for a total of 61 linear feet of A/V shelv-
ing, which is often near capacity.
Measurements
The measurement for book shelving
was 454 linear feet in 2006. The recent
addition of non-fiction shelves in the
lobby added 204 linear feet, and the
additional paperback shelves in the
Library’s main room added 317 linear
feet. The total shelving for hardback
fiction and non-fiction, paperbacks and
audio/video comes to 1,036 linear feet of
shelf space. As you know, if you visit the
library frequently, often these shelves
are almost full.
Resident Survey
Recently, the Friends of the Library con-
ducted a survey asking library patrons
to fill out the form and state the purpose
of their visit, and add a comment if they
so chose. About half of the people visit-
ing the library took a few minutes to fill
out the survey. There were 455 signa-
tures during the 26 days of the survey.
Almost all of the comments were very
complimentary and positive; however,
many people also commented that we
need more space or better facilities, or
made other more specific suggestions.
It is true that space is always an issue;
yet, even if we had twice asmany shelves
as we do now, it probably would not take
long for those shelves to be filled. The
shelves added in 2008 were filled with-
in just a few months. Judicious culling
of books is constant; otherwise, there
would be no space for new acquisitions.
The Library is a great amenity and a
welcoming place to visit; most visitors are
pleasedwithwhatwehaveaccomplished.
Many thanks go to all contributors for the
wide variety of books and media we have
to offer. Our volunteers love working in
the library—we would not be there if we
didn’t. We look forward to seeing you!
The library has seen many additions since 2006 (left photo). The photo on the
right, from 2014, shows the new bookshelves (which replaced the carousels) and an
updated countertop on the u-shaped bookcase, two of the many added features.
©Builder/Architect
Photo by maggi jones
