Growth is good. For all of us.

Much has been said about how much the Grand Forks Public Library has changed and added programs and services over the years. Here’s a rundown of that growth:

• The library now has 61 computers for public use, 11 of which are used for the online card catalog and databases. Over 50% of their total cost has been provided by grant funding.

• The library provides access to searchable online databases (Ancestry, Auto Repair Center, Ebsco and Gale journal article databases, Mango Languages, NoveList, Proquest Newspapers, etc.) for all library patrons, either within the library or from their home computers. These subscription databases are provided through library consortium funding and are not available from your local Internet provider.

• Computer classes are currently offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Topics currently being explored include Computer Basics, various Microsoft applications, Beginning Genealogy and Social Networking.

• Two self checkout stations have been added at the main circulation desk and one in the children’s department, making the check out of materials fast and easy.

• The library purchases the latest fiction and non-fiction books in print, audio, and large-print formats, making reading about your favorite subject an enjoyable experience. They also have downloadable books available through their Library2Go program.

• The library’s Grand Forks Room has area atlases, cemetery books, city directories, farm and plant directories, military records, obituaries, local reference books and yearbooks available in one research location. Local history resources such as these are generally not available online or as downloadable e-books.

• The Myra Collection features books on farming, agricultural practices and horticulture. This collection is partly funded by the Myra Foundation.

• The library has five active book clubs (Great Reads, Leaders Read, Current Affairs, Classic Re-Reads and This & That), with a sixth one starting this month (Poetry). They also have many Book Clubs in a Bag (everything you need for a great discussion in one tote bag).

• The Children’s Department is a very active place, with toddler and preschool story times, summer and winter reading programs, R.E.A.D. dogs and lots of special guests. They also have computers with homework help sites and kid-friendly search engines for their own information hunts.

• Teens will soon have their own space in the library for Young Adult books and activities.

This growth requires a new library. Vote YES.

If you believe in a new library, please share this post with your family and friends, either through email or Facebook. The May 3 vote is quickly approaching! Thank you.