Any time you get antsy about the quality of TV programs on the tube, think about the treasure trove of films that is close to home at the West Atlantic Avenue Public Library off Cumberland, which is part of the Palm Beach County Library System.

During recent summers when TV re-runs ran ad nauseam, we found DVD’s that provided wonderful viewing of BBC TV series, current flicks and golden oldie classics. Buster Keaton, anyone? How about “Angels with Dirty Faces” with James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, The Dead end Kids and Humphrey Bogart all in one Warner Bros. epic made in 1938? Ah, they don’t make movies like that anymore. Did I hear you say ‘Thank goodness’? Well, everyone to their own genre.

We spoke to Ms. Karen M. Spano, the Delray Beach West Atlantic Avenue Library Branch Manager recently.

“There are over 4,000 total DVD titles on the shelves of the library of which 1,400 are exclusively for children,” she said. (Remember this resource when the children and grandchildren are visiting.) “They are available for 7 day loans at no charge and you can take out 10 at a time.” What an opportunity for variety!

Janet Oberacker, Circulation Supervisor joined us. She’s been at this branch since 1993. Ms. Spano, relatively new as branch manager since October 2006, asked her to fill me in on history.

“When I started in 1993 we already had a rotating collection of approximately 200 videos we shared with two other branches,” said Janet. “They were rotated around every three months. At times we would have to wait a month to get another 200 to offer our patrons. DVD’s began coming into the system in the year 2000. Videos have a shelf life of about ten years, so they cannot be replaced. Their technology is supplanted by DVD’s.”

Karen Spano said they have an inventory of 81,000 books and films at West Atlantic. When the new Hagen Ranch Road branch opens to take the place of this branch sometime in the summer of 2008 there will be an increased number of books and DVD’s, as well as music CD's and books-on-CD for both children and adults.

Ms. Spano concluded with a nugget of information you will find helpful: “We have the capability to order any book from anywhere in the U.S. if requested by a patron. All they have to do is ask at the Reference desk.”

So don’t be mad at current TV fare. Get even! Enjoy movies from the West Atlantic Avenue Library branch right here in the neighborhood at 7777 West Atlantic Avenue.
Mort M.

> Discuss this entry