The Tehachapi Friends of the Library want to welcome the new head of our local Branch Library, Michael O’Neill.

Michael is a fairly recent graduate from California State University Bakersfield and recently began working with the Kern County Library. He started at the Tehachapi Library on Feb. 14. And is currently working on getting acclimated to his new position here.

Things are still in flux with the Library system and with our Tehachapi Branch. We’ve only recently gained an extra day (the Library is open Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Many of the programs that we had are coming back to the Library like Family Storytime and the Teen Activities.

Plans are already beginning for the Summer Reading Program which Michael said would be themed, “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” This will be like a camp experience with outdoor activities. It should be both educational and fun. And he is intending to continue having take home activities for people not yet comfortable with large group situations.

As for what else he has in mind, he said, he didn’t have any hard plans yet. And he knows that given some of the past programs held at the Library he had some big shoes to fill. But his first step was to find out what our community feels we need. So what is it you’re looking for from our Library?

Go in or call the Library and tell them what it is you’d like to see from our Library as we begin building/rebuilding. Are you looking for book clubs, writers groups, events to celebrate your favorite books or movies? Or have you got an idea that’s completely different? Let him know, because the Library is here for us, so let’s let them know what it is we’d like to see.

The Tehachapi Friends of the Library will continue to help with funding for programs at the Library and if you’d like to help, visit the best bookstore in town with the Continuing Book Sale downstairs at the Library.