By Jody Stein
Liking Captain Kirk more than Picard, or Worf more than Spock depends mostly on when you came of age. The original series went where no TV show had gone before by boldly combining science fiction, exaggerated macho, and pressing social issues. It was perfect for the youth of the late 60’s. The next generation craved more action, technology, and sass, and they were just as enthralled by the mystical, self-contemplating adventures of the new Enterprise.
It seems that libraries also have to fit their generations. While we were happy to parse through rows of books on long straight shelves of tall stacks, kids today need to see and touch, to click and browse. Simply put, the library that we set up twenty years ago needs a make-over. It needs to be refreshed both physically and conceptually – to be a place that will be as inviting for today’s generation as it was for the kids of 20 years ago when the BCL opened.
Don’t get me wrong, the Benjamin Children’s Library is busier now than it has even been. More kids come in, more books go out and more programs are run than ever before. We have more volumes, more DVDs, more story hours and more homework help than at any time in the past 20 years. Today’s kids read just as much, are just as curious and have as much to gain from opening their minds to the world of literacy as our generation did. For all those reasons, and more – the Benjamin Children’s Library is getting a facelift.
Towards the end of 2014, we are going to close the BCL for 6 – 8 weeks and give the place a real overhaul. We will put in more shelf space, better computers, more sitting space, and better facilities for the staff. While we are at it, we will change the flooring, replace the lighting, put in new furniture and slap on a fresh coat of paint. Hey, it’s been 20 years – we think the place deserves it.
Now for the hard part. The work to be done is going to be expensive (call me if you need numbers), but by saving for a long time, we already have about 70% of the cost of the project. We are pushing in many directions to raise the last 30%, including asking the town (no progress yet but we are hopeful), private foundations and reaching out to other donors. If you or your kids benefitted from the BCL in the past 20 years, we are going to ask you as well.
This year’s Bet Shemesh 5K Community Run (November 18 – mark your calendars) is going to benefit the BCL Facelift Fund. You will soon start seeing notices asking for your extra help this year in making a contribution to this effort. We are going to ask you to think about how you can donate, whether in cash or in-kind. Send me an SMS at 0544 204 247 to find out about the plans and how you can help.
In short, the BCL is fixing up its space. It’s not the final frontier. It’s what we give the next generation.
– Jody Stein is the Chair of the Benjamin Children’s Library