Monterey County Free Libraries seeing trends of fewer people in person
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) - Libraries in Monterey County offer a variety of services.. From free lunches, electronics, and school materials.
The issue they're running into is not enough people using them. Library officials are pointing to fears amid immigration enforcement that may scare people away from coming to the library.
That includes reduced attendance for the lunch at the library, which relies on federal funding based on in-person attendance.
Daisy Carillo, a mother of three, came with her two youngest daughters to the Monterey County Castroville Library branch on Thursday.
"I always look for new ways to take my kids out and take them out of their routine. So, I don't know, just come by and they get free lunch. And they get to socialize," said Carillo.
As more people poured in, Carillo says there used to be even more faces in the room.
KION asked if more people came a few years back when she would bring her oldest daughter.
"It was totally, like right now, everything would be filled up. The lunches were gone by now," said Carillo.
Monterey County free libraries say they're seeing a trend of fewer people walking into libraries. They point to heightened fears of ice sighting in the community.
"Have family members that are also scared, I feel like there would be a safe space. Just to bring your kids out," said Carillo.
Hillary Theyer, Director of Monterey County Free Libraries, says all programs across the board have seen a reduction in attendance since the start of summer, and that may impact funding it relies on.
"We also have grant funding that wants statistics to see growth in usage. And usage statistics show that those grant or donated dollars are really making a difference. So we're always aware of all those levels of funding," said Theyer.
Theyer understands the fear among the community, and are looking for ways to bring partners in to help, like the Monterey County Food Bank to come at the same time lunch is served for children so adults can pick up food.
The library also offers online programs like homework help and job assistance, but it all starts with having a library card, which you can also get online.
