Discover Estero's Hidden Gem The Estero Library
By Cindy Dugan
magic shows, summer reading activities, game and craft sessions and much more. Programs for teens are scheduled
monthly. Te library recently introduced a popular “Reading Buddies” program, utilizing 10th
grade students reading to
children in grades k-3. Te library offers multiple activities and
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events for adults, too, including monthly feature and foreign films, book discussions from October through April, TED Talks, lively historical lectures and dramatizations, a live concert series, as well as multicultural celebrations take place throughout the year. Te English Café, informal conversation sessions for adult English as a Second Language students, is held on Wednesday evenings. Te 90-minute sessions provide adult learners an opportunity to practice speaking English with native speakers. Some programs and events require
uch has changed during the past 23 years at the South County Regional Library, located
on Tree Oaks Parkway in Estero. Te 32,600-square-foot library opened its doors in 1996 and is the second largest branch in the Lee County Library System. Library Associate Betsy Colvin and Library Assistant Martin Penney have worked there from the very start. “We were one of the only buildings on
Tree Oaks Parkway,” recalls Penney. “Some days, we would sit and wait for someone to come through the doors,” adds Colvin. Initially, there was no Internet connection. Books and music were available on audio cassettes and movies came in VHS format in those days. With Estero’s enormous population
and building growth, that has all changed. Te library has quickly become an Estero landmark. Te 26-member library staff welcomed an impressive 270,000 visitors last year. Total annual circulation is approximately 600,000 physical items and 130,000 e-book downloads. Principal Librarian/Regional Manager
Barb Farrell Swenson says with pride, “We all love working here and serving our customers in Lee County. Every day is an adventure.”
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www.EsteroChamber.org Te library has a collection of
approximately 145,000 items, including regular and large type books, DVDs, Blu-Rays, music CDs, magazines and newspapers. Tey offer free Wi-fi, access to several licensed databases, and 45 public computers equipped with Microsoft Office Suite programs. Community groups take advantage
of the library’s large meeting room, which seats 100, and two study rooms are available for meetings, tutoring, and quiet study. Volunteer Technology Guides work by appointment one-on-one with patrons (who can bring in their individual devices); instructing them on the use of Libby by OverDrive, Hoopla, Freegal, and other e-sources. Te Lee County Bookmobile operates out of this branch, also. Baby Rhyme Time, Toddler Tales,
Preschool Storytime and Family Storytime are among the many entertaining and educational youth programs. Te library hosts these regularly scheduled events for the library’s youngest patrons. Early Learning Station computers, pre-loaded with educational games, are available for children ages 3 – 12. Kids can join the Kindness Club, Crazy 8’s Math Club, and participate in “Boredom Buster” art and educational events, after-school programs, puppet and
advance registration, which can be completed online. Go to
leelibrary.net and select the South County Regional Library branch for the monthly calendar. Flyers listing the monthly events are available at the library. Talented area residents are invited to
display their artwork in three secured exhibit areas that are changed monthly. Te library also partners with the Estero Art League, displaying members’ works of art. While information technology may
have changed during the library’s 23-year history, one thing remains the same – you still need a library card to take advantage of this wonderful community resource. Stop by the library, and a friendly librarian will be happy to assist you. Volunteer opportunities are available. Te library staff invites you to make Estero’s hidden gem your destination for live entertainment, movies, programs, classes, clubs, and yes, even books!
South County Regional Library 21100 Tree Oaks Parkway, Estero Phone: (239)-533-4400
https://www.leegov.com/library/branches/sc Hours of operation: Monday-Wednesday (9 a.m.-8 p.m.), Tursday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.), Friday and Saturday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.), closed Sundays.
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