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I attended a meeting of a local women's club on Jan.14. Sara Jones, library director, was the keynote speaker. She presented a compelling and comprehensive picture of the proposal for the new Knowledge + Discovery Center, into which the old 21,000-square-foot library will be morphed. It will be a new, dynamic, state-of-the-art library/information/teaching/learning technology center. The plans call for in creasing the library collection of more than 110,000 to more than 183,000. There will be meeting space and technical assistance for the public and for the business community to acquire information to help them grow and expand. There will be specialized space and programs for all age students; there will be appropriate technology and support to help them learn, acquire knowledge and discover the engaging worlds of science, mathematics, geography, literature, history and art in all of its aspects.
The women's club members where enthusiastic supporters of this unique concept. They were very much interested in the private/public partnership and the fact that the Mae Adams Trust (former owners of the Nugget) were committed to “giving back” to the community, at least a portion of their profits from years of operation in Carson City. It is a complicated relationship, but Director Jones (with the Library Foundation), Mae Adams Trustee Steve Neighbors, the Board of Supervisors and their group of public advisers are committed to making the partnership work. They propose to make this Knowledge + Discovery Center development a reality for the public and for business and industry throughout the region.
One of the questions that came up related to jobs: “How many new jobs (local government jobs in the Knowledge + Discovery Center) will be created?” Presumably, the questioner thought there would be many. Jones was quick to note that she had agreed to operate the new center with approximately the same staff she currently has. She would rely on more volunteers, if necessary. Jones was very sensitive to growing new “local government” jobs.
Jones ran out of time. She did note that the fundamental purpose of the new center is to provide the skills and knowledge that the private sector needs to create jobs. She invited the audience to meet privately with her to talk about entrepreneurs and their need to cultivate (incubate) new product lines, create new business opportunities, to stimulate state-of-the-art, high-tech, high-paying jobs and to embed those industries into our region for economic growth. All of those possibilities are the reality of the new Knowledge + Discovery Center.
It is not just a library. It is our future.
• Eugene Paslov is a board member of the Davidson Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the former Nevada state superintendent of schools.
The women's club members where enthusiastic supporters of this unique concept. They were very much interested in the private/public partnership and the fact that the Mae Adams Trust (former owners of the Nugget) were committed to “giving back” to the community, at least a portion of their profits from years of operation in Carson City. It is a complicated relationship, but Director Jones (with the Library Foundation), Mae Adams Trustee Steve Neighbors, the Board of Supervisors and their group of public advisers are committed to making the partnership work. They propose to make this Knowledge + Discovery Center development a reality for the public and for business and industry throughout the region.
One of the questions that came up related to jobs: “How many new jobs (local government jobs in the Knowledge + Discovery Center) will be created?” Presumably, the questioner thought there would be many. Jones was quick to note that she had agreed to operate the new center with approximately the same staff she currently has. She would rely on more volunteers, if necessary. Jones was very sensitive to growing new “local government” jobs.
Jones ran out of time. She did note that the fundamental purpose of the new center is to provide the skills and knowledge that the private sector needs to create jobs. She invited the audience to meet privately with her to talk about entrepreneurs and their need to cultivate (incubate) new product lines, create new business opportunities, to stimulate state-of-the-art, high-tech, high-paying jobs and to embed those industries into our region for economic growth. All of those possibilities are the reality of the new Knowledge + Discovery Center.
It is not just a library. It is our future.
• Eugene Paslov is a board member of the Davidson Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the former Nevada state superintendent of schools.
