What feelings do I associate with the library and my use of it?Mr. Sean Miller, a teacher of 4th grade at McKevett School, recently asked his students to write what they love about libraries and what makes the librarians special. These are some of their statements:“What I love about libraries is you can read there any time.” “What I love about libraries is it is peaceful and quiet there.” “What I love about the library is you can let your imagination fly.” And “The librarians like having children around and open their hearts to you.”On February 10, 2004 at the regular 6:30 p.m. story hour I get to be the storyteller. I want to use some of the stories we collect in this project. The stories need not be elaborate or lengthy, a few sentences will do well. You may write them in longhand or type them. If you would prefer to tell your story, send your name and phone number and I will find a way to get it collected and written down.Be sure to put your name and telephone number on all stories, then send them to: Library Story Project, Blanchard Community Library, 119 N. 8th St., Santa Paula, CA 93060; or to me, Carol Essert Hardison, 1940 Timber Canyon Rd., Santa Paula, CA 93060. A permanent home will be found for the story collection at the library and be available to the community.February is “Love Your Library Month.” Do let us know how you remember and regard our library – tell us your story – come join the fun.
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Library Story Project
January 02, 2004
Santa Paula News
Above is a photograph of the library that was located at 8th & Main Streets.
By Carol Essert HardisonCarol Essert Hardison is a storyteller and oral historian who with her husband Logan lives part-time in Santa Paula and Redlands, California.Do you remember the building in this picture? It’s Santa Paula’s old library building, the Dean Hobbs Blanchard Memorial Library, which stood on the northwest corner of 8th and Main Streets. Though the building was designed in the architectural style of the Carnegie libraries, it was not part of that project. The monies and support for it came from numerous citizens of Santa Paula and the Blanchard family.Seeing this picture brings back memories of my childhood, and I hope it will do the same for many of you. For we, Dan Robles, Ilene Gavenman, and others connected with our current library and I, are working on a Library Story Project. This is a call for memories and stories you may have of both the Dean Hobbs Blanchard Memorial and the Blanchard Community Libraries.I grew up in Santa Paula during the 1940s and 1950s. I went to McKevett and Isbell schools and graduated from Santa Paula Union High School. A visit to the library was a weekly event (along with church and the Saturday matinee at the movie theater under the clock where we cheered as Roy Rogers kept the villains in check once again). The library served as a haven of quiet activity and a source of stimulating ideas for me.Now, years later, as a storyteller I am curious to learn what it might have been and what it is for you today. What memories do you hold of the library and the librarians? To get the juices flowing or sparks flying, think about these questions.What part does the library play in my life?When did I first go to the library and what drew me there?What people make the library come alive for me?
