The room was bustling with excitement and nostalgia as people reflected on the impact the Yorba Linda’s Public Library has made on the community throughout the past 5 years. On November 13, 2020, the new library opened to the public. The library, equipped with two stories, including various sections such as Adults, Teens, 6 7 8 Lounge, and Childrens, offered a space for everyone to feel welcome.
In recent weeks, The Yorba Linda Public Library held a community-wide event to celebrate the library’s 5 year anniversary. The event was filled with various fun activities to commemorate the milestone including: little library notes, DIY bookmarks, pressed flower book plaque, and many more festivities. Attendees finished the night off with a glass of celebratory apple cider and cookies. The event reinforced the idea that the library helps the community come together and bond over the memories of the old and new library.
The Yorba Linda Public Library offers a safe and comfortable place for members of the community to study, read, work, and even hang out. The library is filled with numerous books of many topics that cater to all audiences, as well as helpful resources like printers, computers, Wi-fi, and air conditioning. The space is also filled with flexible seating that makes tasks such as studying more enjoyable.
The library was designed for the community, by the community. Community members were given the opportunity to share their ideas and preferences on the library design. The library is divided into several sections suited for various groups of people. There are designated children, tween, teen, and adult sections that have atmospheres well-suited for the targeted groups. As stated by Yolanda Aubuchon, a librarian at the Yorba Linda Public Library, “There is a space for everyone to feel welcome. There’s a quiet environment [for teens and adults], as well as an area for kids to feel like they can grab their own books”.
In addition to these spaces, the library also offers programs aligned with each of the library sections. For example, the teen section offers a “Mid-Term Cafe” that offers light refreshments and a quiet space to prepare for finals, as opposed to the children’s section where there are storytelling events.
The Yorba Linda Public Library’s current layout and design is especially appealing for teenagers. In the previous library, teens and younger children were all gathered in one space, making it crowded and noisy. Since the space did not accommodate their needs, teens solely visited to check out books. In the new library, teens are given their own study space, where only their age group is allowed to enter, after school and on the weekends.
With these changes Yolanda Aubuchon saw a clear difference in teen attendance. The library became a place where teens could get their homework done efficiently with their friends and just hang out. Apart from the overall structure, teen attendance increased due to the library’s convenient location, surrounded by the Yorba Linda Town Center and affordable restaurants. Supporting this claim, Brooke Gutierrez (9), a student at Yorba Linda High School, states that “I have been attending the library more since it offers a comfortable and quiet place to study. I enjoy the convenience of the location and often get food with my friends while studying as well”.
The Yorba Linda Public Library offers the perfect space for members of our community. From children to adults, the library fits the needs of all demographics. It is important to reflect on all the library offers and to appreciate this amazing building and its staff.
