Carson City Library plans activities before Sunday opening

When Sam Wilson, 15, heard the library was extending its hours to include Sundays starting in June, he was overjoyed.

“That’s exciting news,” he said. “The more they’re open, the more opportunity there is for me to go and learn new technology.”

Wilson, who has just completed his freshman year at Carson High School, rides his bike nearly every day to the Carson City Library where he spends his afternoons in the Digitorium doing his homework and surfing the Internet.

“There’s a lot of technology there I can utilize,” he said. “And I like to hang out with my friends.”

He recently used the computers available there to create his résumé.

“I applied for four or five different jobs,” he said. “I ended up getting one as a recreation aide for the (Carson City) Recreation Department. It’s an amazing job.”

Molly Walt, manager for the library’s Digitorium, said Wilson is typical of the high school students who use the space and the laptops, iPads, movie-making equipment and other technology available.

“They can use their own computers or check out one of ours,” she said. “They are able to access the digital resources from the school district so they can submit their homework assignments from here.”

Walt said many of the teens choose to spend their afternoons in the library rather than home alone while their parents work.

Extending the library hours would give them a place to go on Sundays, as well. She said it would also serve those students who can’t currently fit a trip to the library in their schedules.

“For those who are involved in sports and other extracurricular activities, having it open Sundays is going to be a positive,” she said.

“They’re busy six days a week, and Sundays may be the only day they have to do their homework. To have the library resources available to them on Sundays is going to be very well received by students and their parents.”

To kick off the first Sunday open, which is featuring ice cream sundaes, the library is planning a weeklong celebration with special events throughout the week.

Starting June 1, the library will open weekdays at 11 a.m., rather than the customary 10 a.m., adding up each additional hour to make up the Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule.