On Thursday, June 6, the La Jolla-Riford Library celebrated 120 years of continuous library service in La Jolla. The library has resided at its current location, 7555 Draper Ave., since 1989. <\/p>\n
“We want people to know we’re here,” said Sue Wagener, the event’s organizer. “And we want them to know that we have much more to offer in addition to books.”<\/p>\n
About 500 people daily visit the library, she said. <\/p>\n
Thursday’s celebration included festivities from morning until night, including a scavenger hunt and storytime for children and an after-hours party for adults — all with a detective story theme to honor mystery writer and one-time La Jolla resident Raymond Chandler.<\/p>\n
A 120-year anniversary is a good opportunity to consider the changing role of the library. In order to remain relevant, the library had to evolve and reinvent itself for the digital world; a call that it answered in flying colors with hands-on, interactive learning opportunities. <\/p>\n
There’s a Bio Lab, which Wagener describes as a place, “where kids and adults can do experiments, gene sequencing, and learn about DNA. It’s very high tech.”<\/p>\n
The Bio Lab is part of an innovation space at the library that also includes 3D printers and a 50-person capacity classroom.<\/p>\n
The La Jolla-Riford Library was among the first libraries in the country, maybe the world, to feature a public biotech laboratory, Wagener said. The library has a partnership with San Diego’s burgeoning biotech industry.<\/p>\n
But that’s not all. There’s also a History Room, which includes the first Digital Memory Lab in the region. Bring in your old, obsolete media files — audio cassettes, floppy disks, and videotapes — and the staff will help you digitize them. <\/p>\n
The Digital Memory Lab was funded by a $10,000 grant from the local philanthropic group, Las Patronas.<\/p>\n
Wagener’s message was crystal clear: “We’re about much more than just books.” <\/p>\n
In addition to the technology and science focus, the library offers a broad array of resources for children and teens, as well as literacy and education programs, assistance with career and college prep, and art, music and culture programming. <\/p>\n
Many of the services like the Bio Lab would not be available were it not for the generous contributions that the library receives from donors. Consider supporting the library for a tax-deductible contribution and becoming a member of its philanthropic arm, Friends of The La Jolla-Riford Library, or visit the La Jolla-Riford Library and take advantage of all that it has to offer. <\/p>\n
The library, which serves the communities of Bird Rock, La Jolla, and Torrey Pines, is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. <\/p>\n