When you think about a library, the first thing that should come to mind is the books. While reading books makes up the foundation of any library, the St. Joseph County Public Library (SJPCL) serves a purpose larger than that with unique programs for people of all ages.
Melody Lutz, community services senior manager, considers the programs at the SJPCL branches to be a key component in helping satisfy the mission of the facility.
“Our mission at the library is to enrich lives, empower people, and foster connection,” Lutz said. “All of our programs try to touch on at least one of those aspects, ideally all three. We’re motivated to provide a space that’s welcoming to everybody, including adults and seniors, and is accessible for them to interact with one another. We try to offer opportunities to not only learn something new, but also build connections and talk with our program leaders.”
Most people may assume that their local library serves as solely a hub for printed books. However, the SJPCL provides entertainment for their local residents in more ways than simply reading.
“We are very fortunate to have unique spaces and the start of the art spaces at our library,” Lutz said. “At all 10 of our locations, we have meeting rooms for programming, but also allow the community to rent them for their own programs or clubs. At the main library in downtown South Bend, we also have a state of the art auditorium for movie screenings and concerts. We have a ballroom for receptions or fairs, and we partner with a lot of local organizations where they come in for information on volunteering.”
Several organizations partner with the SJPCL for senior communities, offering info sessions on various topics like housing and medical care. They manage an annual mental health resource fair, summer reading clubs, and additional community clubs as well.
Programs such as Science Alive, BookCon, and the Annual Life in Michiana Photography Contest allow children and adults to explore the world of science and technology, celebrate the literacy scene, and photograph stunning landscapes. Spill the Ink Poetry Contest, Culturally Speaking and SJCPL Writes help encourage people to share their voice and experiences in an inclusive space.
Other notable features within adult programs include the quarterly Unfold Magazine, which focuses on what’s fresh in the community, and the SJCPL Seed Library, which allows people to explore growing their own foods through sustainable practices.
Mac Anderson, adult engagement assistant manager, believes the library’s programming department has something that everyone in the community can enjoy participating in.
“One of our biggest intentions for the programming department is to create community and create space,” Anderson said. “I think the educational and social components are critical, so it's always on our mind. It allows us to have many different programs and there's something for everybody. We have a variety of social, educational and creative programming.”
Anderson is a part of a team that hosts the Volunteer and Community Services Fair at the main branch every year. All of the SJCPL branches are host sites to adult programs that encourage community involvement.
“We have a 14 week session at La Casa de Amistad, which is a community center,” Anderson said. “We’ve also done four week sessions at St. Margaret’s House and Center for the Homeless. We try to bring programming out to each of our branches. That includes crafting connections in a community-building art history program, resumes and resources, and digital literacy every three months at all of our branches. It’s a healthy mix of building sequential programming and one off workshops.”
The library orchestrates a workshop for its resumes and resources, allowing attendees to build a resume and learn about the job market. It serves as a beneficiary for both people who are re-entering the workforce or someone who is getting acclimated to it for the first time.
Programming at the SJCPL is more than a way to satisfy the interests of the community. It also creates an environment that fills the staff and other team members with everlasting excitement.
“One of my favorite parts of being on this team and working with the programming is the connections that we’ve made,” Anderson said. “We have frequent flyers and patrons that draw people in for our events. It’s great to see the people who continue coming back, and it’s equally as special when you get a new person. Getting to meet the community face-to-face is really special to me, and I always look forward to it.”
For more information on the St. Joseph County Public Library, you can visit its website.
