On Oct. 16, the public libraries of Hayward and Tracy participated in LPC’s annual library card drive for the first time.
The Las Positas College Library hosted its annual library card drive on Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the quad. Library representatives from Hayward, Tracy, Pleasanton, Dublin and Stockton staffed the event. Librarians assisted students in registering for a library card at a library of their choice.
Despite the cold weather and light rain, students took advantage of the opportunity, forming lines outside the building 30 minutes before the event officially began. Frances Hui, an LPC librarian and the main organizer for the event, recalled previous drives in which the Livermore Public Library registered 90 new library cards and the San Jose Public Library gave out 260 free library cards.
The school’s partnerships with all participating libraries will allow LPC students to access resources unavailable at the library on campus. These include museum passes, language apps, audiobooks, movies, music, online courses, e-books and e-magazines.
Hui said that one resource LPC needs is language-learning apps like Mango and Rosetta. “The different libraries have different versions of those learning apps,” she said. “And with a library card, you can use those apps at your leisure.”
Some libraries, like the Pleasanton Library, offer specialized services, such as Sensory Storytime for autistic and sensory-sensitive children.
The librarians and organizers of LPC’s event emphasized that students did not have to be residents of the specific cities staffing the event, only California residents.
All students and faculty who registered to at least one library from the ones participating in the drive were rewarded with a tote bag labeled “Read, Lead, Succeed.” Additionally, the student government hosted a table offering snacks, journals, pins and stickers.
“The librarians and their team are always looking for ways to serve the community,” said Hui.
Student Sarah Dorn said she was excited at the opportunity to obtain more library cards to add to her Kindle reader.”There is this app called Libby, where you can add more library cards to your Kindle and download books for free,” Dorn said. Another motivating factor was that one of her professors offered extra credit for those who participated in the drive.
The event showcased the services librarians offer to their local communities. Beyond academic resources, libraries provide various services such as adult literacy programs, tool lending and computer access
