Humboldt Libraries Collecting Patron Stories Jan. 25-31 For Service Improvements

Humboldt County Public Library is asking residents to share how they use local libraries during a weeklong storytelling effort running Jan. 25-31. The invitation, announced Jan. 22, asked patrons to submit experiences through an online survey at HumLib.org, to pick up paper surveys at branches, or to post photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #EveryStoryCounts.

Library staff planned to document programs and services throughout the week and to encourage patrons to describe everyday uses - from story time and Bookmobile visits to computer use, 3D printing, and home-delivery services for homebound residents. County officials said collecting these first-person accounts helps the California State Library better understand usage patterns and supports efforts to improve local services.

For Humboldt County residents, the exercise matters beyond books. Libraries here serve as information hubs, digital access points, and social supports across urban and rural communities. Data gathered from patrons can help justify expanded Bookmobile routes to remote pockets of the coast and interior, increase hours for public-computer access that residents use for job searches and telehealth appointments, and strengthen home-delivery programs relied upon by seniors and people with mobility challenges. Stories about makerspace tools such as 3D printers can inform workforce development and learning programs for young people and adults seeking new skills.

Public health and social equity are central to what libraries provide. Consistent access to computers and Wi-Fi reduces barriers to medical care and social services that increasingly require online forms and virtual visits. Home-delivery services and branch programs reduce isolation for homebound patrons and older adults. When the California State Library receives clearer information about how Humboldt communities use library services, it can better align funding and technical support with local needs.

Participation is simple and inclusive: submit online at HumLib.org, request a paper survey at any branch, or share images and stories on social media with #EveryStoryCounts during Jan. 25-31. Library staff will be on hand during the week to document programs and to gather anecdotes that reflect daily use.

For readers, this is an opportunity to shape how local libraries allocate resources and design services that address digital access, health-related needs, and social support across Humboldt County. Sharing one story could help adjust service hours, expand the Bookmobile, or strengthen digital literacy offerings in a neighborhood that depends on the library for more than just books.