San Diego County Library

:"This library serves the county of San Diego. For the library serving the city, see San Diego Public Library."

Infobox_Library
library_name = San Diego County Library
library_
location =
established =
num_branches = 33
collection_size =
annual_circulation = 4,088,464 cite web | title=California Library Statistics 2007 (2005 - 2006 fiscal year)| url=http://www.library.ca.gov/lds/librarystats.html | accessdate=October 10| accessyear=2007]
pop_served = 1,028,152
members = 549,315
budget =
director = Jose Aponte [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library "Contact Us" Page| url=http://www.sdcl.org/contactus.html | accessdate=February 21| accessyear=2007]
num_employees = 321
website = http://www.sdcl.org

The San Diego County Library is a public library system serving San Diego County in the U.S. state of California. Any person living in the state is eligible for a free library card. During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the library circulated over 4 million materials and had almost 550,000 members.

ervices

Circulation

The San Diego County Library circulates a variety of materials, including books, videos, compact discs, video games and magazines. The library carries materials in many languages other than English, including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, and Tagalog.

In 2007, the San Diego County Library joined The San Diego Circuit, a consortium of libraries that includes San Diego State University, UC San Diego, CSU San Marcos, and University of San Diego. Customers of any circuit library may request books to be transferred to their local library at no charge. [cite web | author=Paul K. Mueller | title=San Diego University Libraries, County Library Launch Innovative Borrowing Partnership | url=http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/general/03-07LibraryPartner.asp | accessdate=October 9| accessyear=2007]

The library is utilizing technology to improve customer service. Customers are able to browse the catalog via the Internet, enabling them to request items, and view their account. [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library Catalog| url=http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/opacmenu.html | accessdate=October 9| accessyear=2007] Some branches of the library have express checkout machines that allow customers to check their items out themselves.

Some customers may qualify for the library's award-winning Books-by-Mail program. [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library "Books by Mail" Page | url=http://www.sdcl.org/booksbymail.html | accessdate=October 9| accessyear=2007]

Public Computer Services

Each branch library offers free computer use, including internet access and word processing. Many branches offer Wi-Fi internet access. The library subscribes to a number of online databases customers may access from home. [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library "Databases" Page| url=http://www.sdcl.org/refdb2.html | accessdate=October 9| accessyear=2007]

Events

The San Diego County Library provides a wide range of programming for customers of all ages. During the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the library system hosted 5,443 programs for children. [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library 2006 Annual Report (PDF)| url=http://www.sdcl.org/docs/AnnualReport.pdf | accessdate=October 9| accessyear=2007] The library often hosts performers, such as magicians, dancers, and puppeteers. Other events include book discussions, film screenings, and craft instruction. The San Diego County Library publishes a comprehensive calendar of events detailing events at every branch library.

Literacy Center

L.E.A.R.N. (Libraries Empower All to Read Now) [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library "Adult Literacy" Page| url=http://www.sdcl.org/Literacy_Main.html | accessdate=February 21| accessyear=2007] is the San Diego County Library's adult literacy program. L.E.A.R.N offers tutoring in basic reading, writing and math skills, as well as tutoring in standardized tests, such as the GED and the ASVAB. L.E.A.R.N. also provides services for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners.

Branches

The San Diego County Library is composed of 33 branches,cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library "Locations" Page| url=http://www.sdcl.org/locations.html | accessdate=February 21| accessyear=2007] located in:

*4S Ranch *Alpine *Bonita *Borrego Springs *Campo *Cardiff *Casa De Oro *Crest *Del Mar *Descanso *El Cajon

*Encinitas *Fallbrook *Fletcher Hills *Imperial Beach *Jacumba *Julian *Lakeside *La Mesa *Lemon Grove *Lincoln Acres *Pine Valley

*Potrero *Poway *Ramona *Rancho San Diego *Rancho Santa Fe *San Marcos *Santee *Solana Beach *Spring Valley *Valley Center *Vista

There are also 2 mobile libraries, which serve the east and north counties.

Anyone possessing a card can borrow and return books at any branch. In addition, materials may be transferred between these branches for pickup by patrons, at no charge. [cite web | author= | title=San Diego County Library User Guide (PDF)| url=http://www.sdcl.org/docs/UserGuideEnglish.pdf | accessdate=February 21| accessyear=2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.sdcl.org/ Official website] of the San Diego County Library