Library Lines: New record set in Contra Costa shows digital media’s value
The Contra Costa County Library system reached a new record in 2022 with 1.5 million digital book checkouts. This milestone illustrates the continued growth and importance of eBook and eAudiobook lending.
The library system provides readers with 24/7 access to eBooks and eAudiobooks through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive. A valid library card is all you need to access digital books from the library’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. Download the Libby app or visit ccc.overdrive.com to get started borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks today. Here are the top five eBook titles borrowed in 2022:
- “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave;
- “Portrait of a Thief” by Grace D. Li;
- “Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty;
- “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab;
- and “The Guest List by Lucy Foley.
New hours: The Pleasant Hill Library is celebrating an increase in open hours. The branch is now open six days a week. and the new hours, funded by the city of Pleasant Hill, include 10 hours on Mondays and two additional hours on Tuesdays. The library is now open 12 more hours for a total of 52 each week. The branch’s new hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Black History Month: There are several fun and engaging events planned in February to celebrate Black History Month.
Unique Derique will present a lively interactive performance featuring hambone body percussion, history and humor at the Pleasant Hill Library at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Join percussionist and educator Onye Onyemaechi at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 for a captivating look at African village life through music, songs and dance at the Kensington Library.
Also on Feb. 21, learn the art of African American quilting with local artist Rachel Palacios at 6:30 p.m. in the Pleasant Hill Library. Finally, expert storyteller Muriel Johnson will share thought-provoking, animated true tales and folktales from around the world at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Hercules Library.
The library system has also launched a diversity webpage (ccclib.org/diversity) featuring staff-curated booklists, blogs posts, upcoming events and celebrations, digital resources and more that reflects the cultures and boundless diversity found in our communities.
Getting ready: Kindergarten Countdown is a program for children entering kindergarten in the fall. The activities are designed to help children practice and learn skills that will ease their transition into kindergarten. This countywide program includes skills related to talking, singing, reading, writing, self-care and motor skills. Visit your local branch or ccclib.org/kindergarten-countdown for more information.
Digital media access: PressReader is a modern, digital platform that gives users the ability to browse, read and download more than 7,000 publications from more than 120 countries in 60 different languages. Get unlimited access to the world’s best newspapers and magazines including popular international titles such as La Opinión, World Journal, Times of India, La Razón, China Daily, Newsweek and the Boston Globe.
Living with Wildlife: At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 on Zoom, join Peter Alagona, author of “The Accidental Ecosystem: People and Wildlife in American Cities,” as he explores what it means to live in diverse, multispecies communities and how we might thrive together in the latest installment of the “Outdoor Explorer Presents” series. Register online at tinyurl.com/cccl-living-wildlife.
Measure X discussion: Join Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John Gioia at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 on Zoom along with Marianna Moore, chair of the MXCAB; Kanwarpal Dhaliwal, co-director of Richmond’s RYSE Youth Center; and Sara Gurdian from the Contra Costa Budget Justice Coalition for “MEASURE X: Living Up to the Promise?” to discuss what we learned from this first year of sales tax allocations and what it means for the future in the event. Register online at tinyurl.com/cccl-measure-x.
Author event: At 5 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Concord Library, Rayshell Clapper will discuss her new book, “The Prices We Pay,” which features fables and tales focusing on nature and what it costs when we make choices around beauty and love. Clapper is a prose writer and professor of English at Diablo Valley College.
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about library services and programming or account information, contact us via email at ask@library.cccounty.us, on chat at tinyurl.com/cccl-chat or via text message at 925-290-7627.