“There is no problem that a library card can’t solve.” – Eleanor Brown
A county wide library system began to consolidate half a century ago, and the first joint powers agreement to join forces and create a regional system came about in 1975. Today, the library system has expanded to meet the growing needs of the diverse cities, communities and neighborhoods of Sonoma County.
The Sonoma County Library now operates 16 facilities, employs more than 260 people and offers 24/7 free resources through its website, sonomalibrary.org.
Library services have changed, and while branches still include books and periodicals, patrons can check out backpacks and hiking guides, toolboxes, camera equipment, WiFi hotspots and laptops, along with CDs, DVDs, audiobooks and video games.
A key role the library plays in the lives of county residents is how it incorporates and supports technology literacy. Got a new iPad for a gift? Library staff can show you how to use it. Not sure how to use email? The library can help with that, too, through one-on-one tech help.
Many county residents want the library to come to them, and that happens every day, in person and online. The library’s BiblioBus, a mobile library, travels all over the county, bringing books, technology and library staff to events, schools and underserved areas. An invigorated outreach effort will result in more librarians in more locations than ever before.
Online access to the library skyrocketed during COVID. You can download and read books or listen to audiobooks, research your ancestry, treat the kids to National Geographic programing, watch TV and movies, read national publications, and much more.
The library collects a modest property tax from all county property owners, and a tiny, one-eighth of one percent on sales taxes, but it adds up. In addition to operating safe, welcoming libraries and employing friendly, knowledgeable staff, those funds go to pay for access to special publications and databases, like Consumer Reports, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Chilton Auto Repair manuals, sophisticated genealogy databases and Reference USA. Your free library card can save you thousands of dollars a year in subscriptions to these popular resources.
The library is deeply connected to local schools, and works to support teachers and students by offering early literacy resources, free tutoring and homework help, and free access to Britannica and other tools.
The county has a strong local business sector, and the library supports workforce development, with access to free software, presentation and business training, along with resume help and job skills development.
The library is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Most programming and marketing materials are in both English and Spanish, and all are welcome at the library, inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, country of origin, age, faith, ability, politics, or socio-economic status.
Since its initial formation in 1986, the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation has been equal parts vocal advocate, generous funder and staunch champion for the Sonoma County Library.