Library programs concentrated on Food Awareness in November. We offered two free programs: “We Are What We Eat” a conversation project program from Oregon Humanities, and we offered a film, “Nourish : Food + Community”. These programs called attention to the strong bonds that are formed around food, and about how our food choices can affect our health and our environment.

Another aspect of our Food Awareness Week was to consider those folks who live with food insecurity and are not able to make choices about their food. Donations of cash and food were collected for the Community Action Center food bank in Sandy and Neighborhood Missions in the Hoodland area. One half of all overdue fines collected during the week of 11/17 – 11/23 was donated as well.  In total we collected $452.13 for the Action Center, $91.35 for Neighborhood Missions in Welches and also a lot of food!

On the first Tuesday we welcomed people to come and learn about their technology tools with the help of librarians. Maureen Skinner has also been working with some residents at Avamere, assisting them with their technology questions.

A “people counter” was installed at the front door of the library. An estimated 425 people come into the library each day, and there are approximately 70 computer logins per day. These statistics measure the community’s library use better than mere circulation counts.