Library director: upgrades coming

WESLACO — Weslaco Public Library Director Arnoldo Becho said receiving $20,000 worth of graphic novels, shelves and furniture this past week was a healthy step in an effort to foster new community perceptions.

It was Weslaco librarian Eddie Zepeda who won the library loot in a raffle last week at the annual Texas Library Association Conference, whose attendance numbers surpassed 6,000 people, according to a TLA news release.

Zepeda said his understanding was that he could do as he wished with the prize materials but said he entered the contest with every intention of having them go to the Weslaco library.

The new amenities - which include shelving, a sofa and 700 graphic novels from publishers like Marvel, D.C. and Image - will be placed inside library's learning commons, next door to the main building at 525 S. Kansas Ave.

"We already built that new learning commons and I knew (the prizes) would be a great asset there," Zepeda said.

Becho said the library has maintained an ongoing initiative to become more appealing to the community by making its learning commons a more socially relevant space for the city's youth. It currently features a flat-screen plasma television, modern furniture, wall art, several computers and a free Wi-Fi internet connection.

Since the commons opened in September, Becho said, it has seen about 100 daily visitors.

He says new trends around the state revolve around turning libraries into social areas. One of the long-term goals for Weslaco is to turn the learning commons into an environment that spurs artistic creation; the library director says he has begun to consider throwing art shows in the space.

"What we're trying to do is to make this place more youthful," he said, pointing out the library's already strong appeal to older demographics.

"I hope it becomes a place that has the resources to help people create," he said. "It's not just about having the tools; it's about having people who want to use them."