When I was a youngster, my dad told me there were
two important books in the world. One was the Bible and the other was the
dictionary. The dictionary stood on a special stand in our living room. My
brother and I were “encouraged” to refer to it regularly.
To that end, my dad gave a small tablet of paper and several pencil stubs. I
was instructed to write down every word I heard or read that I did not know
and, upon returning home, to look it up in the dictionary. I do it to this
day! With the thousands of words I've learned, there are still many I have
not heard of and I continue to write them down and look them up. Thanks,
dad.
Libraries became my sanctuary. There, anything was possible. I could read,
learn and transform myself into any of the historical or fictional
characters I read about. I was taught the Dewey Decimal System and regularly
practiced it at the venerable New York City Public Library. Created by
Melvil Dewey in 1876, it is a proprietary system
of library classifications and has undergone twenty-two modifications and
revisions, the most recent in 2004. I wonder Š do youngsters today, other
than knowing how to get on the Internet, have a clue what the Dewey Decimal
System is?
Created by popular vote, the Banning Library was founded August 21, 1916.
Until 2006, when legislation was introduced and passed, the library remained
under the Banning High School District Board of Trustees. The Banning
Unified District Library District became the Banning Library District and is
funded through a special assessment district.
The library serves residents of Banning (east of the district line at
Highland Home Road). Twin Pines, Poppet Flats, Cabazon, Whitewater and Snow
Creek are all part of Banning Library District. People residing within the
district may run for the Board of Trustees.
It is important and infuriating for me to note that residents of Sun Lakes
are NOT in the Banning Library District but remain in the Beaumont Library
District.
I had the pleasure of
having lunch with Patty Hanley, the new Library Director for the Banning
Library District, and asked her why Sun Lakes wasn't in the Banning
district. She seemed just as mystified and explained that as she understood
it, LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) “should have looked at in the
last review and the current board is looking at it.”
Good! Since the current library has basically
outgrown its space, maybe we can have collaboration between the Library
District, the City of Banning and the County of Riverside to have a new,
larger library? This is certainly another project for another time.
For any Sun Lakers who have not visited the
Banning Library (the corner of San Gorgonio and Nicolet), with proper
identification and/or a current library card, you may secure a Banning
Library card.
Hanley has certainly jumped into her position as
director with great enthusiasm. In the past couple of weeks, I have run into
her at City Council meetings, Chamber events, an Alliance program and more.
Banning is fortunate to have such a talented, dedicated person in Banning.
Hanley pointed out that not only is there an
excellent selection of books; there is an extensive collection of
periodicals and audio books. Hanley is proud that the entire library is
fully and wirelessly accessible to the Internet, through Verizon. The
Internet stations were made possible from a grant by the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation.
While Hanley is always looking for enthusiastic
volunteers, she is well on her way to launching library programs for
youngster and adults. The library will be offering free computer classes,
beginning Saturday, January 5, 2008 from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Although the
classes are free, registration is a must.
Here's a chance to visit the library and sign up.
Hanley pointed out that there will be a $5 charge for those who sign up but
don't show up. Also set for January 5 is Children's Story time, from 10:30
to 11:30 a.m.
The busy Hanley is also launching a new program
called “Senior Sunrise Smart Social.” It will be held on the 3rd Wednesday
of each month from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. The first one will be held on January
16, 2008. Here, strangers at the beginning could turn into associates or
friends. There will be refreshments, interactivity and discussion; probably
centered on a magazine or newspaper article. Hanley is also looking into
forming book discussion groups.
Have you ever wondered how to sell your stuff on
eBay? Come to the library on January 16th from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Robyn of the
new Flea Market Fabulous (on San Gorgonio) will present the program. The
event is free but reservations are suggested.
Hanley said her “over-arching desire is to serve
all segments of the community.” From all indications, she is well on her
way.
This might be accomplished with greater ease if
there were better signage directing people to the Banning Library. Hanley is
not worried about people who already know where the library is; she would
just have to have newcomers have an easier time of finding the Banning
Library - a true hometown treasure!
As we enter 2008, I would like to take this
opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year filled with health and
happiness. As usual, I will make a slew of New Year's resolutions. We'll
just have to see how long they last!
I wish the Banning City Council wisdom in their
deliberation in choosing a new city manager. Whether any of them run for
office again and possibly get re-elected, this is the most important
decision they will ever make. I truly believe they hold the fate of the City
of Banning in their hands.
Granted this is a huge decision and I am confident
that each one of them is doing their due diligence. I would assume all
references have been checked. I would further assume that conversations have
been had with his (we know there are no women in the running) former
colleagues and council members. Right?
We don't need the City of Banning to once again be
the stepping stone for anyone's career moves or padding their PERS
retirement. I'm been here six years and the revolving door at the police
station has gotten quite a few spins. Mercifully, we've saved the best for
now. Leonard Purvis is a gem. I hope he doesn't leave Banning with the first
offer of a better job. He has done so much in a short time; think of what he
will be able to do as the proud chief of an A-1 new police facility.
We need a city manager who is innovative in
stoking the city's economic engine. We need a city manager who is healthy
and spends time managing the business of the city. We need a city manager
who assists the council in implementing the “vision” (as soon as someone
establishes it).
Finally, we need a city manager who is mindful and
respectful of Banning's long history but is
capable and adept at modern thinking. It's a tall order but I suspect and
hope that the Banning council will pull a wonderful miracle out of their
collective hat.
Otherwise, it's probably time to think about whom
will annex Banning: Beaumont or the Morongo Indians.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
IN THE REAL WORD is written for the Record Gazette
by Gail Paparian, a Banning resident who has served on Banning (and
Riverside County) committees. She is currently on these boards: Community
Blood Bank, San Gorgonio Pass Rotary, San Gorgonio Pass Boys and Girls Club
and a member of the Banning Economic Development Committee.
