CCSU Header

Overall Rankings Booksellers Connecticut Education Internet Library Newspaper Data Sources Methodology Author CCSU Home AMLC Home Publications Media Overview Factoids Navigation Bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT 06050 860.832.CCSU or toll free instate 1-888-733-2278


Stockton Record


Stockton readers get a boost from library's new Sunday hours


Yasmin Assemi
Record Staff Writer
Published Monday, Jan 9, 2006


STOCKTON - Readers visited the Cesar Chavez Central Library from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The library closed its doors on Sundays in 1978 because of a lack of funds, said Natalie Rencher, director of San Joaquin County library services.

But now, Stockton's expanded library hours are "sorely needed" and "the first step" toward strengthening the community's literacy rates, Stockton Mayor Ed Chavez said.

A 2005 survey by the Central Connecticut State University ranked Stockton last for literacy among the 69 U.S. cities with populations of 250,000 or more. The America's Most Literate Cities study considered not whether residents can read but whether they do.

Libraries also rely on local businesses and organizations to increase community literacy, Chavez said as local dignitaries celebrated a $25,000 donation from Comcast to the Library Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin on Sunday.

"Any time we're able to enhance our programming and partnerships ... it's a good thing," Rencher said. "It's an expanded service that the community has wanted for a long time."

Jason Horn visits the Cesar Chavez Central Library "every other day" and is happy it's now open Sundays.

"It's another day I can come over here," the 22-year-old Stockton resident said as he browsed titles on the shelves.
For Terry Paoletti, the extra hours mean more convenience for her and Nico, her 9-year-old son, she said.

The Stockton residents said it's easier for them to visit the library on Sundays versus on a school night.

"It just changes your whole idea of when you can come in," said Paoletti, 48, as Nico read "Werewolves Don't Run for President."

According to federal statistics, the Stockton-San Joaquin Public Library system has about 1 million books. The system checks out about 2.1 million books and other materials every year, or about 1.8 books per person.
Contact reporter Yasmin Assemi at (209) 546-8272 or yassemi@recordnet.com


Back to Media