The Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force meeting tonight http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-09-01/lubbock-mayor-police-chief-face-tough-questions-community-forum#.V8j19o-cFxI.  I met some nice people, saw a few people I know, and listened to the comments of others. I made no comment.  I was just honored to be able to participate in such a forum. I want to watch for more.

Help for Substance Abusers and Police Departments

I watched this video and cried https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1084264371614420/?fref=nf.  It is about the Gloucester, Massachusetts, Police Department helping drug addicts to get rehabilitation services instead of being arrested.

Why can't we do that everywhere?  The money spent to incarcerate people would also pay for substance abuse treatment.

Why are we not thinking that way?  What is wrong with us?

School Supply Drive At Monford

Today we received announcement that the Montford Medical and Psychiatric Unit http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/unit_directory/jm.html - TDCJ http://tdcj.state.tx.us/ and CMHC http://www.ttuhsc.edu/som/cmhc/ staff are being encouraged to donate school supplies for foster children in the community.  A few months ago, we were asked to donate food, diapers, and other essentials for people in the community. And we did.

I know the person who is spearheading these drives means well. But I wonder if this person understands that on a standard correctional officer salary, without overtime, many of our correctional officers would meet the financial guidelines for services with community agencies.  And, many of our non-licensed clerical staff would also probably fall into those categories.

The staff at Montford is generous. But we need to take care of and support our own. And we have, when one of our own has had a tragic, or life changing event. But maybe we need to be more sensitive about our fund raising events.

Responsibility

I am a board member for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock http://www.cclubbock.org/.  We have purchased a property that we are renovating for a bigger Resale Center. The Resale Center is basically a thrift store that accepts donations from the public and is open to the public. The profits from the store go into the general revenues of the agency budget, which is very important to the agency.

It is more than that, though.  It is an opportunity for people to volunteer and help the agency. It is also a resource for the clients of the agency who have needs.  They can receive vouchers to shop at the store and buy much needed supplies. 

I was out and about tonight and by chance I drove by the new building.  It was early evening.  It was very windy.  As I drove by, I noticed an outside door swinging in the wind.  I could have ignored this, and if something bad had happened, I would not have had to own up to knowing this. But I would know. So, I called around until I could contact someone with the agency who could contact someone to go lock the door. 

I was told that it was probably okay, because even if the outside door was unlocked, if the inside door was locked, there was no problem.  I did not enter the building. I did not know if someone was in there or not. I think the worst in these situations. 

I was also concerned because the wind was so strong, the door was being blown open and banging up against the wall.  I was concerned a very strong wind gust might result in broken windows, as the door had two glass windows. 

I may read too many mystery novels, and I work in a prison, so I may be too cynical (but I hope I am not too cynical) but I also think an open, swinging door on a vacant building is an invitation to vandalism, even if it is only graffiti.

So, I did what I thought was the right thing:  I sought help.  I stayed until help came. And, I thanked the helper.

Tire Pressure

So the major cold front blew in Thursday night.  Along with freezing rain and ice and snow.  It took me about 20 minutes to defrost and scrape the ice off of the Vue when I left work. And, as I was driving home, the tire pressure indicator light came on.  Well, this might be to be expected, as the colder the weather, the lower the air pressure in the tires.   However, I could have actually had a flat tire.  I pulled off when it was convenient, and check the tires, and there was not a really flat tire.  So, I decided to deal with it in the morning.

So, in the morning, I went to a local self service air pressure station, and succeeded in deflating the tire even more.  Around the corner was a Firestone store.  I used to use them regularly, when I trusted the service manager. When he left, I was never sure if I was being taken advantage of or not, but use them from time to time, most recently, when I needed a flat tire repaired. When I explained my problem, the service manage told me to get in line.  The service technician who inflated my tires told me they have had multiple requests per day during the cold weather. This was a free service! 

We do not get much free service these days.  I wish I trusted these people because it was so nice to use them when the service manager was one I trusted.

Human Rescue Coalition

Lubbock has something called the "Human Rescue Coalition" which has been meeting and currently has been working with the  Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Task Force, overseen by the Lubbock Rape Crisis Center, dba as "The Voice of Hope,"  to bring this issue to the forefront in Lubbock. Today, there was a workshop regarding Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, and a "Night of Awareness" about sex trafficking, pornography, prostitution, and the lack of resources for people who are trying to exit this lifestyle.

I attended both sessions.  I did not need the CEUs offered at the workshop, but I accepted them. I mostly attended because this is a youth at risk issue, and I am trying to learn more about youth at risk, as a member of the board of directors at Catholic Charities.  But, I can use the education credits towards the required 40 ACA credits that I need at work.

The Human Resource Coalition has a Facebook page.  Which I will probably not access.

I was pleased to learn that they meet at the Catholic Diocese building, which lends its support to this issue. I am so pleased to see the Diocese of Lubbock involved in human rights issues.

For more information, look at the Voice of Hope webpage at VoiceofhopeLubbock.org.

Jackie Robinson, A Biography

As I have previously mentioned, I went to see 42: The Jackie Robinson Story twice at the movie theater. This from someone who rarely goes to see a movie.  I was very interested in the accuracy of the events, and found myself picking up a book at the library: Jackie Robinson, A Biography by Arnold Rampersad.

As I read about his entry into baseball, I was pleased to see that the incidents depicted in the movie were fairly well depicted in accord with the book.  And, now, as I have finished the book, I was really, really struck by the fact that Jackie Robinson really was the right man, a man with a mission, to integrate baseball.

The incident that lead to his court-martial in the US Army indicated he was will to fight for integration and racial equality.  The life he lived after baseball demonstrated to what an extent he took that on as his life's mission. It is a part of the Jackie Robinson story that most of us do not hear about.  

This was a very good book. 

Prayers to West, Texas

On April 17, 2013, there was an explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/key-facts-plant-explosion-west-texas-18990641.  The authorities treated it as a crime scene, and are slowly opening up zones to allow residents back into their homes. They are not saying it is a crime.  They are using crime scene techniques to help understand what happened, and to protect the citizens of the community.

West http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgw06 is a small town, about 17 miles north of Waco, off of I-35. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West,_Texas.

This was a horrific tragedy, flattening a large section of the town, costing lives, causing injuries, and disrupting the town. 

There are no words to describe the sadness this event causes me.  This last week has been a week of sadness in the news. 

Prayers go out to West, Texas and those who have been affected by this tragedy. 

Many who lost their lives were First Responders.  This makes sense:  they had responded to the fire that lead to the explosion.

Once again, thank you to all First Responders.  Many of your days are quiet, but you never know when you will be in a situation in which you are putting your life on the line.

It Was A Full Day

It was a full day at work. I did an assortment of tasks, including patient interviews, paperwork, consults with colleagues, and some networking. 

After work, I went to a Catholic Charities board meeting. It starts with a Mass, and I had a discussion with the agency director about a training I am doing on Thursday. I took minutes for the meeting. 

Then, I went to the library and found a couple of books that I wanted, and ordered an inter-library loan book.

When I got home, I read email, worked on NASW addresses, did the puzzles I do to keep my brain healthy, and which I very much enjoy, and responded to some other emails.

I am not really interested in starting to read a book tonight. There is nothing on TV I want to watch, and I am about done with the computer. Some days are like this. When we get to the end, there is an anti-climax.

Tomorrow will be a good day!

Power Outage

It was about 3:15 PM today, when I heard a poofy kind of pop, and the power went out. I went out the front door to check with my neighbors.  The two houses to the west did not have power, either, and neither family had a cell phone with them.  I told them I would call into the power company, Lubbock Power and Light http://lpandl.ci.lubbock.tx.us/. 

When I made the call, the dispatcher said a technician was working on another call, but would be sent to us next.  Less than an hour and 15 minutes later, power was restored: the LP&L dispatcher called and checked on my status. Power was restored.  I then checked with my neighbors. Power was restored.

We take our utilities for granted. Water, electricity, gas.  I have written in the past about calling the fire department because the motor of my heater burned out, and an I wanted to be sure there was no smoldering fire in the heater closet.  The response was almost immediate, and I did not receive a bill. 

Today, the power was restored. I know there will be no cost to me, because any service outside of the box on my house is tended to by the power company.

I am so grateful for the community services from which I benefit. I am willing to pay taxes for these services. 

Nativities in Lubbock

The Temple of the Latter Day Saints in Lubbock hosted a Nativity Scenes http://lubbocknativity.com/ display.  It was really very beautiful and artistically set display of multiple nativity scenes.  There were very few duplicates. There were stories about the displays.  There were scenes from around the world and other cultures. 

They had ongoing music, and while I was there,  men's chorus was singing.

The hosts and hostesses were graciousnes themselves. 

This was a wonderful gift to the community.  I did not promote it as I had no idea what I was going to, but I was invited back for next year.  I will certainly promote it.

Community Service, Christian Service, Catholic Service

My social work career started at Catholic Family Service, Inc. Diocese of Amarillo http://www.cfsama.com/our-story.html in 1977.  At that time, the Diocese of Amarillo included Lubbock, Texas.  It also had a mission program: Laymen in the Amarillo Mission Program (LAMP). LAMP recruited teachers for the diocesan schools.

When I graduated from the College of Our Lady of the Elms http://www.elms.edu/, I was looking for experiences outside of Western Massachusetts.  I applied to the Peace Corp http://www.peacecorps.gov/, VISTA http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp and several domestic programs, including LAMP, and asked them if they could use a social worker. LAMP was the program that responded first. 

Foolish though it may have been, I was eager to get out of Western Massachusetts.  I had a telephone interview with LAMP, accepted their offer, and was off.  I flew to Amarillo (I had never flown before) and after a week of orientation, took an agency car from Amarillo to Lubbock. (Thinking back, what a leap of faith these people had in me.)  I was planning to stay a year.  Hmmm.  Before my year was up, I was offered a paid position, versus the stipend position, and that was that. I spent 10 years at Catholic Family Servi, Inc

I moved to Texas in June 1977. In December, 1977, I was contacted by the Peace Corp.  They were looking for people to go to Nicaragua.  I had a commitment to the Diocese of Amarillo, and declined, but told them to contact me in June 1978.  I never heard back from the Peace Corp. 

I thought and even tried to leave CFS a couple of times, but something always intervened.  I was there when an assistant director was hired, with the plan that this person would become the director, because the Diocese of Amarillo was being changed, and Lubbock was going to become its own diocese. So, I also worked for Catholic Family Service, Diocese of Lubbock. 

It was good for my social work career that I moved on to other things. Some years later, I was asked to serve on the board of directors, but the changes in my personal life made that untenable.

I attended the 25th anniversary of Catholic Family Services, Inc. Diocese of Lubbock. I winced at the mangled history that was presented. If you were not there, you would not know, and it did not matter. One of the board members, who I had known since I moved to Lubbock, asked me if I would be willing to be on the board. I said yes.  In 2010, I became a member of a committee that worked with membership recruitment and commemoration activities.  The next year, I was asked to join the board of directors. 

As of January 1, 2012, Catholic Family Service, Diocese of Lubbock, has become Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock.  I was firmly in favor of that change. I had sentimental ties to Catholic Family Service, Diocese of Lubbock, but the reality is that we needed the change. The Catholic Charites name gave us national alignment with Catholic Charities USA http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/. I am all for change for progress, but not change for change.  I want to see the agency move toward accreditation.

When I was working for Catholic Family Service, Inc. Diocese of Amarillo, we worked for accreditation.  I believe that Catholic Charities,Diocese of Lubbock, needs accreditation.

I try to be as helpful as I can as a board member, but am not sure what my contributions can be.  I did a training on documentation and confidentiality.  I have helped with some fund raising activities. I helped organize a committee to look at counseling options and needs.  I have looked at some grants. I have sent out information about job positions. I have met with potential employees.

As a board member, I have had the opportunity to attend a legislative forum luncheon.  It was organized by multiple agencies who are concerned that state funding for child abuse prevention programs will be cut in the upcoming legislative session. Because I am considered a state employee, this is tricky. 

I applied for leave, so I would not be considered "on the  clock." My supervisors concurred that there was no conflict of interest in this activity.

The Catholic Charities staff and board members were at one table. I sat next to the Bishop.  I had the opportunity to tell him how much serving on the board of Catholic Charities has been a blessing to me.  He seemed to understand.

I will just say that this is a great service.  I am blessed to be able to do it.

  . 

Weather Stories

As I have mentioned, I spent a great deal of time watching The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ this past week.  I would not say that The Weather Channel is my new best friend, but maybe I resumed relationship:  When there are serious weather events, I spend a lot of time watching The Weather Channel.  I check in with The Weather Channel almost every morning, and frequently get my news flashes from The Weather Channel. 

I do not think that their weather reporting is better than any other service. But they do continuous coverage during a serious weather event,  and sometimes, that is what I want. (When CNN  http://www.cnn.com/first started, they did continuous coverage of the news, and I liked that, too. They still do some for breaking news coverage, but not like they did.)  I do not watch much of the other programming on The Weather Channel.  Most of it does not appeal to me. 

I was impressed, during the coverage of Isaac, about a comment one of the broadcasters made:  Paraphrasing, the gist of his comment was New Orleans is low lying country, the storm was going to produce a lot of wind and rain, and no matter what precautions and preparations were made, there WOULD be flooding. Well, duh! Finally someone on The Weather Channel was honest and real.  A lot better reporting than sometimes in the past:

I do not recall anyone reporting, before it happened, that they foresaw the danger of the levee breech in Katrina in 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina. There were plenty of people, after the fact, who talked about having forecast or predicted such a disaster. Maybe they did, maybe they did not. No matter. It happened. I have the sense people let their guard down, since the storm had passed, and this added to the problems.

In my opinion, in 2008, The Weather Channel downplayed the seriousness of Ike http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike, which was "just" a category 2 hurricane.  But forces converged and Ike literally destroyed parts of Galveston. Storm surge, tides, wind and rains again compiled a devastating force. 

In 2011, Hurricane Irene http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irene was followed as it churned up the Atlantic Coast.  The coverage was good.  However, at one point, it highlighted on battening down and preparing New York City.  When the impact on New York City was nominal (no flooded subway system, Manhattan was not flooded) it was if the broadcasters took a collective sigh of relief and disappointment (no major catastrophe to report).  It seemed to me that they then under-reported the impact as Irene continued on into New England and Canada, until the horrific impact became known, and provided headlines again.

I understand that The Weather Channel is not just providing a service reporting the weather. They are looking for headlines to increase their viewership in a very competitive media market. So the disasters are the stories they want to report.  The reporters seem to really get excited about being able to report weather stories that include danger and disaster.  The reporters seem to express concern for the survivors and victims of these storms, but they also seem to be pumped about reporting the serious conditions, and indeed are looking for that to report.

Reporting possible weather disasters has to take a fine edge:  Certainly people need to be warned. However, if watches and warnings are frivolous or continually inaccurate and problem situations do not materialize, people will stop taking the warnings seriously, and eventually ignore them.  Calling for evacuations is a drastic step to take; yet, ignoring these evacuations orders repeatedly proves that people end up in harm's way, and emergency responders then put themselves in harm's way to rescue those who ignored evacuations orders.  Evacuations are costly to individuals and communities, and some people may feel they do not have the resources. And, many people feel it just can not happen to them, be it a tornado, earthquake, flood, hurricane or snowstorm. 

In my mind, the most responsible tact to take is a factual reporting of the weather conditions, and reminding people that they can not prevent weather. Their preparations should be to protect and take care of themselves, what ever that involves. And, no matter how good weather predictors try to be, they are not perfect, and unexpected weather conditions can occur with no warning.  Weather just happens.

Charitable Giving

I have a set of charities to which I donate regularly.  And, I also donate for specific and special reasons:  in memory of someone; in memory of a deceased pet; because of a special event or disaster.  For example a couple of years ago, the local Salvation Army http://www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss_lubbock.nsf extended their shelter hours during a very cold spell. Because of natural disasters like Katrina, Rita, Irene, or Isaac. For the holidays.  If a social service organization does something I especially like, I support them with a donation.

I have been watching a lot of the television coverage of Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Tropical Depression Isaac on The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/.  They have, at times, talked to American Red Cross workers, and talked about how easy it is to donate to the American Red Cross: you simply text http://www.redcross.org/search/index.jsp?_DARGS=/jspf/modules/nav/primary-navtemp.jsp and it will result in a $10 donation, which will show up on your phone bill.  I think that is really great.  I suspect, especially when that first was introduced, they received an increase in donations. We love technology and what it allows us to do.  I sent in an idea to The Weather Channel: to add a link on their home page so people who check it can donate to The American Red Cross or the Salvation Army (one or both.)  We shall see if that gets added.

I was getting ready to write a check to the American Red Cross for Isaac relief, but checked my emails first.  As I am on the board of the local Catholic Charities organization http://www.cclubbock.org/index.html, I receive a weekly newsletter from Catholic Charities USA http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/.  They set up a special donation opportunity to help with Isaac relief, so I decided to donate through them, instead.

Not very long ago, the director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock, commented that when there is a local emergency, the local Red Cross and Salvation Army get good publicity for their disaster aid. But almost always, Catholic Charities gets called, but does not get the publicity that the other two agencies get. I wonder what we can do about that.

Mandatory Evacuation

I have spent a large part of my vacation watching The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ broadcast of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac.  I know that there have been areas of mandatory evacuations, yet some people did not evacuate, especially in Plaquemines Parish. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/plaquemines-parish-long-history-disasters-17109583.  And, a nursing home did not evacuate.  What does a mandatory evacuation order mean?  Get out. 

I get it. I do not want anyone telling me to leave my home to the ravages of nature and hoodlums.  I want to think I can cope no matter what. I can imagine a couple of scenarios in Lubbock, Texas that would require an emergency evacuation.  I can imagine my initial instinct to want to stay, and try to take care of my home. But the truth is, sometimes, I am not as self-sufficient and powerful as I want to be.  And I need someone with more information, power, and authority to take care of me.

I understand that the logistics of evacuating nursing home patients is difficult, but it is a lot easier if it does not have to occur when the storm requiring it is putting its full force energy into the area. I think the administrators of any nursing home in Plaquemines Parish that did not evacuate when mandated, and had to be evacuated in the midst of the storm, should be investigated.

My hope is that everyone who did not comply with the mandatory evacuation order is now safe.  More importantly, my hope is that everyone who tried to rescue those non-compliants is also now safe. The rescuers are true heroes and to them, I offer my thanks and prayers.

Parade and the Fourth of July Festival

Lubbock had an Independence Day parade today, and I attended it.   A Lubbock parade is an unusual creature.  There are few, if any bands.  Today, there was a drum line.  After the parade, there was going to be a festival of mostly music and food, and one of the music venues played recorded patriotic music for much of the parade.  Some of the "floats" included people who were singing.  One of the floats included acrobats performing.

Just about anything qualifies as an entry in the Lubbock parade: Elected or local celebratory individuals of all kinds riding in convertibles; official vehicles from city, state, county, hospital, school entities; vehicles representing churches, schools and businesses; some were real "floats."  Most were decorated vehicles, or vehicles pulling decorated or not decorated flat-bed trailers.  The street sweepers follow the horse group entries. 

Last year, very little was thrown to the participants, and someone said the practice was being discouraged. This year, candy, bagged snacks, T-shirts, wristbands, and flyers were distributed to the crowd.  It was a little more festive with these additions.

I was really distressed when the parade began, and the honor guard came by. This consisted of multiple military groups with flags, each including the American flag.  Only some of us stood and saluted the flag.  I do not blame the children, but I wish the adults knew better.  It was the young adults, probably under 40, who did not stand. This is very disrespectful.

One of the entries to the parade was AeroCare, the air ambulance of the area.  The helicopter flew over twice, which was a nice touch.  I saw the county tactical response vehicle (bombs, SWAT, etc) which I did not know existed, and the county mobile headquarters vehicle, which I vaguely knew existed but had not bothered to consider what it looked like. Someone in the audience commented that he did not know there was a Miss Lubbock County pageant, until Miss Lubbock County went by in a convertible.  (I did not know there was a Miss Lubbock County pageant, either.)

The other distressing thing to me about the parade was the end.  The final entries had not passed us, and spectators were already flooding the street in front of us.  The four motorcylce cops bringing up the rear of the parade were not enough to prevent this. It was not dangerous, particularly, but it was disrespectful of the participants. 

But I saw a lot of disrespect in the spectators this year.  Late comers crowding into areas already occupied by spectators. People standing in front of a spectators, without regard to the fact those seated behind them had been there before the standees arrived. People grabbing gifts from in front of other people.  I had a bag of chips grabbed away from me. My reaction to grab the chips was more defensive than acquisitional.  I think someone saw that because a few seconds later, a bag of chips landed on my shoulder.

The parade was just a parade.  It was okay. It celebrated the country and the service people: military, government, safety and first responders.  So that was good.

The festival was okay.  I think they should bring in a carnival of rides, and have craft and hobby booths as well as food and music, but no one asked me.

I spent most of the day at one particular music venue.  They had jazz, the Westwinds Brass Band, mariachi music (two different groups played, and one played twice), ballet folklorica dancing, the women's barbshop chorus, and an easy listening ensemble.  During the ballet folkorica, I took a break, and got a drink and lunch.  The rest of the time, I sat under the tent, listened and enjoyed the music, and knitted.

I also got to spend some time with a dear friend, which was a bonus.  We were going to go kayaking, but the wind was gusting up 27 MPH, and when it gets above 20 MPH, I try to stay off the lake.

I have already blogged about the fireworks and the cats. The fireworks have calmed down, which is a blessing.

Community Service

Community service comes in all shapes and forms. Over the years, I have done a lot of things: voting, being on a neighborhood association, working for various organizations or donating to community organizations. Currently, I serve on the board of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock http://www.cclubbock.org/index.html. When I moved to Texas in 1977, this organization was part of Catholic Family Service, Inc, of the Diocese of Amarillo (before there was a Diocese of Lubbock.) My first social work job was at Catholic Family Service, Inc.  I worked there for 10 years.

This is a really good, strong social service agency.  I am honored to be on the board, and even more delighted when the director asks me to participate in helping the staff with education, planning, policies, input, etc.  

I am also pleased that the director understands that the trend needs to be towards hiring people with appropriate social work, human services type degrees, and preferably, licensed people. Because the salaries are so low, licensed people will be hard to attract.

One of the things I like about working on the board is that the members of the board support the agency and the executive director. They support her efforts to modernize, and professionalize the agency. Professionalizing the agency is one of my desires.  The director wants to move towards Catholic Charities accreditation. In my opinion, that is an important goal for the agency.  I hope that while I am on the board, we can continue to move in that direction.

Lemonade Day!

Today is Lemonade Day http://lubbock.lemonadeday.org/!  This is a program to encourage children to develop business skills, and do something for others also.

The Lemonade stand in the park near where I live is selling lemonade for $2 a glass.  They are raising money to help children in Tanzania, Africa.  The family's father has a business in Africa, and they will travel there at the end of May.  The lemonade was very good.

If there is a Lemonade stand near where you live, support it!

Little Free Library

My neighbor, Bill, is an amazing man. For many, many years he was the librarian at one of the Lubbock High Schools. And, upon his retirement, he has remained active in the community: he is a member of the Friends of the Library, he was, and may still be on a community advisory board for the Citibus, he gives presentations and talks to various community groups about books, and he is a constant participant at the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club. He is a very active member of the Friends of the Library. He has a cadre of friends with whom he visits regularly at Barnes and Noble, and who know where else.

He recently became aware of The Little Free Library http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/. He has a friend who built a little free library for in front of his house. Last Friday, April 6, 2012, he opened the library.  He already has wonderful stories about people who are borrowing books, and visiting with their neighbors, all because of the Little Free Library.   What a wonderful gift to the community.

Thanks Bill!

Online Library Services

I have to compliment the Lubbock City Library system http://library.ci.lubbock.tx.us/.  They truly do a very good job.  We all expect libraries to have books.  But, this library system has much more: they have art work, DVDs, videos, sound recordings, books on tape (or CDs) for loan. 

They participate in inter-library loan, and have even set up so subscribers can request inter-library loans from their home computers.  They have books subscribers can down load. Subscribers can request books to be placed on hold.  Subscribers can get books at one of the four locations, and return the same at any of the four locations. If a book is not at the location a subscriber prefers to use, they will bring it to that location.

They send email reminders when books are close to being due, and materials can be renewed online.   They have various community programs at the libraries. Their community rooms are available to rent for meetings. 

They have non-reading activities, such as a knitter's group. They have reading groups, discussion groups, children's activities.  

The Lubbock library has a very large and active genealogy section.  Patrons can use library only computers to look for library materials, or can access the Internet at the library. They have free wi-fi access.

Years ago, when Tonya came to visit for the summer, and she thought she was too old for day care, she would spend the mornings at the library while I worked.

The librarians are friendly, helpful, courteous and pleasant.

The library did have difficulty dealing with the homeless population of Lubbock that used the downtown main branch as a shelter. I understand it was a problem.  The homeless can still use the library, but the library officials have discouraged their loitering by setting up some rules that are reasonable, including no sleeping in the library.

I am so thankful for the library system in Lubbock.