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37 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,June 6,2019 theifp.ca What do people use the Halton Hills Public Li- brary for? "Books are the most fa- mous collection," Douglas Davey, manager of chil- dren's and youth services at the HHPL, said. But the library houses collections beyond ink and paper. "There's no place else to get DVDs in this town," Davey said, adding that the library collection also includes music and TV shows, as well as video and magazine streaming. Patrons can even borrow seeds for their gardens at the HHPL. One of the more unusu- al collections at the li- brary is bike locks. "We have a bike rack out front and people don't always bring their locks," Davey said. In terms of services, the library offers exam proctoring services, and has recently brought in therapy dogs for students as stress relief during ex- ams. One of the mandates of the library brings a mod- ern take on the libraries ancient values. "We take what people want but isn't feasible for them to have and make it available," Davey said. "Back in the day, people couldn't afford to buy books because it was so expensive to print." Books and print mate- rials still make up the core of what the library offers, but technology that isn't generally acces- sible like high-powered VR-machines and 3D printers are also accessi- ble. "It's not something I would have imagined 20 years ago," Davey said, "but now it makes perfect sense." Though virtual-reality sets might seem like a draw for youthful gamers, the sets are regularly brought to seniors cen- tres. "We take the headset out so seniors get an op- portunity to experience the benefits of virtual re- ality," Davey said. "Though, they're playing different games than the kids." Seniors can also bor- row iPads through the li- brary. "People were borrow- ing our (Wi-Fi to go hot spots) and going to the se- niors centre and borrow- ing the iPads," Davey said. "We paired it up and are now lending them out to the community." While most of Halton Hills can has no connec- tivity issues, pockets of the town have difficulty with internet connection. "In a world where you need internet access to get a job, or fill out govern- ment forms, this is huge," Davey said. "It's one of the ways we are trying to bridge the digital divide." Matt Godfrey, a library patron, said he visits the library almost every day to read in a quiet place. "I also use it to look up what to read next," God- frey said. Throughout the li- brary patrons are doing what they'd predictably be expected to be doing, and reading books, maga- zines, or newspapers among the stacks. Erin Dieleman and her 14-month-old son, Elijah, visit the library at least once a week. "Our house is under renovation, so it's nice for him to come and walk, es- pecially when it's not nice outside," Dieleman said. While they also sign books out, Dieleman brings her son to classes or groups. "I use the printer some- times, if he's napping, I'll do my own reading," Di- eleman said. Currently, Dieleman is reading Michelle Obama's memoir, Becoming. In one of the private rooms, Tyler Connell, Shelby Mayberry and Re- becca Fitzpatrick, all stu- dents at Georgetown Dis- trict High School, are at the library to study. "It's quieter," Connell said. "We get food, and then study in here." Along the windows of the library, patrons work quietly away on laptops. ANALYSIS WHAT DO HALTON HILLS RESIDENTS USE THE LIBRARY FOR? QUESTION: WHY DO HALTON HILLS RESIDENTS USE THE LIBRARY? CONCLUSION: PEOPLE STILL READ BOOKS ON PAPER AND INK, BUT THEY ALSO VISIT THE LIBRARY FOR PROGRAMMING, WORK SPACES, AND INTERNET ACCESS, AND TECHNOLOGY. BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com STORY BEHIND THE STORY: While visiting the library for a story on SOLS, reporter Bryan Myers, spoke with several patrons about their library habits and what they find valuable about the Halton Hills Public Library. 130 Mill Street East, Acton 519-853-0079 Full & Partial Dentures Implant Retained Dentures Precision Dentures (BPS® Certified) Relines, Additions & Repairs Dental Lab On Site No Referrals Needed Please call for a tour 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Accredited by: R.R. 2, Guelph 519-856-4622 www.edenhousecarehome.ca To advertise on this page call Kelli: 905-234-1018 or email kkosonic@theifp.ca