“Business is booming,” is the way Nancy Kleban put it. She’s branch manager at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Public Library and had some statistics to back her up at the quarterly meeting of the RP Library Advisory Board, held April 17. She reported 20,675 “patrons,” adults and children came to the library in the month of March. More than 600 kids and their moms or dads came to the 10 pre-school programs the library offered that rainy month.

The advisory board also heard from Sandy Cooper, chairwoman of the Sonoma County Public Library Commission. She cautioned them about any possible change in current library hours. “There’s no chance of re-opening libraries on Monday.
“It’s the financial situation. To do so would cost us a million dollars.”

However, there’s a Monday night May 7 meeting in the library. It will be held at 6 p.m. in the Armando Flores forum room with the county commission and RP-Cotati’s Library Advisory Board in joint session. The public is invited.

A report from Friends of the Library bookstore said the used book outlet has consistently been averaging $1,000 a week in sales. All proceeds go to the local library.  It’s staffed by volunteers. Comment was voiced concerning just how many library-goers really know about the bookstore. Several methods were discussed, including a signboard in the library lobby and setting up a table at the Friday night Farmers’ Market, soon to start again this summer.

A report from Breanna Walsh, youth representative on the board was heard. She stressed the importance of the public library to middle and high school students. Educational budget problems have curtailed hours at the two secondary schools giving more importance to the public library.

“I think the library should do more to promote itself on school campuses,” Walsh said, “Even at elementary schools.” She indicated not every student is raised in a family already familiar with libraries.

The advisory board also welcomed Barbara Mackenzie, who was named to replace the late Chloe DeBrunner. The board’s next meeting is July 17.