Satellite libraries updated at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada

Abby Vawter, 6, was among the first in line to check out a new book when they were delivered by the Carson City Library to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada.

“Reading books is like my heart,” she said. “The more you read, the smarter you get. That’s what my teacher always told me.”

Her selection: “Bat Girl.”

“It was really amazing,” Abby said. “I like the way she saves the day.”

For the past few years, the youth room at the club had a satellite library with about 60 to 70 books to serve 300 to 400 kids.

“You could tell from the condition of the books, they were just getting used so heavily,” said Amy Lauder, collections development manager of the Carson City Library. “We’ve had lots of requests for more popular stuff, and we just needed more selection.”

This week the library delivered more than 600 books to the club for its collection.

It will make life easier for James Wernett, the library’s liaison to the club, who has visited the club twice weekly to help the children with homework, play games and check out books.

“Whenever I come over here with new, shiny books, it turns into a carnival,” he said.

The improvements to the satellite projects were funded through the state collection development grant allocated by the 2017 Legislature.

Library workers are asking the 2019 Legislature to create $1.5 million in permanent funding to make such programs sustainable.

With the new system, the children will be able to check out books themselves, leaving Wernett more time for other programs.

Logan Smith, 8, checked out, “Behind the Legend: Dragons.”

“I’m interested in dragons,” he explained. “I like books and I love reading so I can get more ideas.”

Malakai Hatch, 10, hopes the new library will have some of his favorite series, such as “Big Nate” and the “Middle School” books.

“Reading is my favorite hobby,” he said. “You might think a book is boring and books are for nerds, but then you get into a book and get interested, which is really cool.”

In coming weeks, library staff also will improve the library in the club’s teen center.

This is the latest in a series of articles to highlight library programs funded by the Nevada Legislature. The Nevada Library Association is asking for permanent funding in this year’s legislative session.