I was the only person to attend the Water, Water Everywhere lecture at the library this past Tuesday evening. Accordingly, the lecture was cancelled, and tentatively rescheduled for a Saturday morning in November.

Hercules will not evolve into a city like Berkeley overnight (nor would I want it to; there are some problems the City of Berkeley has that I would love the City of Hercules need to deal with, namely the constant power struggle with the University of California, and other problems that I would not wish upon my worst enemy, e.g., the rampant and uncontrolled homelessness, and all the associated problems that brings; maybe Albany is a more appropriate comparison and/or model for Hercules), but we have a first-class library in Hercules, clearly the jewel of the system (in this case, the Contra Costa County Library system), and we do not use it to our fullest advantage.

While most programs and events are catered to children and young adults or seniors (as one would expect from a largely suburban library), when adult-oriented programs are announced, it is important for the community to support such efforts, similar to the need for the community to support the fledgling businesses in the Waterfront. It is not as simple as “build it, and they will come,” but rather “build and support it, and they will come.”

I mentioned to the lecturer that evening that such programs do not come often at the library (so when the Water, Water Everywhere lecture came up, I put it in my calendar), but unfortunately the library director (or a person responsible for the library’s activities) was personally offended. I moderated my opinion by acknowledging that obviously the demand for such programs are low (I was the only person in attendance), but she was adamant that there are many programs oriented towards adults. I told her that I subscribe to the library feed of events (it’s true; sad, but true), and most events are Mother Goose Storytime or Wii for Seniors (which is alright; they are effective and popular), but she was undoubtedly correct: there is a small business seminar and a PCs for dummies class in early October.

I realize now that my criticism was wholly unfounded. There is no demand for a lecture series that rivals Berkeley or Albany, or even Pinole, at least not yet. If there were, the Library would be the perfect and most impressive venue. The City is growing (in many directions), and the Library is and will continue to be an asset. And I’ll be waiting.