Gilroy Today 2014 06 Summer | Page 66

their children to the library on Saturdays .
Along with a small but dedicated staff , the library has an Active Teen program that includes teen volunteers who put in about 250-300 hours per month helping the library staff .
“ There ’ s always demand from Gilroy families to get their teens into our volunteer program , usually as part of their volunteer service requirement for school ,” Yoshimura said . “ We love their energy and it ’ s great to have them on board .”
The library ’ s Active Teen Program also includes special film screenings of current feature films for teen film-buffs to enjoy with friends .
Creative thinking even led the library to connect with the California Farmer ’ s Market Association with the goal of supporting community efforts to eliminate childhood obesity .
“ We have a great opportunity here at the library to help parents teach their children about healthy foods and healthy eating ,” Yoshimura said .
All in all , not bad for a library that first opened its doors over a century ago at its original Fifth Street location with 1,700 books donated by the Gilroy Ladies Reading Circle .
As Yoshimura likes to say , “ It ’ s not just about the books , it ’ s about the people .”
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