MARYSVILLE — Maggie Buckholz can see ample evidence of the monthlong teachers’ strike without leaving the Marysville Public Library.
The managing librarian and her staff have watched the materials in the home-schooling section of the library vanish in recent weeks. While some parents seek academic work materials for their children, others ask about the process of meeting state requirements for home-schooling.
Other families just want books for their children to read and then write book reports until school reopens.
The library meeting room has become home for PTAs and other parent groups. Some nonteaching school district employees have used the library’s Internet connections to file unemployment forms, because they aren’t working during the strike.
The library had nearly 10,000 more people visit in September than the same time a year ago — 36,745 compared with 27,031.
Brandi Rose of Marysville has noticed the library getting busier. She watches children, ages 7 to 11, from different families, and often takes them to the library. As the weather changes, trips to the lake and other outdoor venues become less frequent and the library becomes more appealing, she said.
"The library is a lot busier during the day, particularly in the children’s section," she said. "It’s free, and it keeps them interested for a long period of time."
Marysville librarians also had 9,497 questions asked of them in September, compared with 7,841 for the same month in 2002.
In September, library use among parents and children seemed to pick up midway through the month, Buckholz said. At the same time, families began to realize the strike could be a long one, and they wanted to make sure their children were keeping their reading skills up, she said.
The library also recognized that parents weren’t just searching for books. Often, parents were looking for free activities for their children. The library has put together children’s program, including arts and crafts. From 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, for instance, school-age children can hear stories, eat popcorn and play "constellation bingo."
"We’re here for the families," Buckholz said. "We will do our best to provide resources and assist parents who are affected by this. We are here through good times and bad times, and the library is a resource they need to think about."
"It seems that if the (strike) issue comes up … everybody has an opinion about it," she said. "When we are at the information desk, we try not to share our opinions. We end up just listening."
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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