Local Journalist And Family Make A Journey Of Literacy At Long Beach Libraries

It all began with a missing volume of the Captain Underpants children's book series at the El Dorado Library.  

Award-winning sportswriter, Mike Guardabascio, and his wife, Sharleen Higa, had already placed literacy at the top of their priority list for the development of their two children, Vincent, 5, and Maya, 2. But when they decided to search a different branch of the 12-branch Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) for the missing book, it turned into a voyage of discovery for the whole family. 

"Once we'd been to three of four branches," said Guardabascio, "we figured, 'Why not let the kids come around the city and get to see all the different branches, meet the different librarians, and kind of make an adventure out of it?'" 

Guardabascio shared how both him and his wife grew up going to Long Beach libraries their whole lives. Before, it was about checking out a book, but now Long Beach libraries have evolved to much more.  

“Getting to see new branches like the Michelle Obama Library and see all the new state-of-the-art stuff here is just crazy to me,” he said. “When I was a kid, we went to the library and they had...books. We were happy with the books! Now, to see all this amazing technology they have, it's just awesome."

In their home they are proud of their large collection of books, which is why this was an exciting adventure for the entire family.

“This journey allows us to go to all different parts of the city and explore different kinds of books,” said Higa, an English teacher at Jordan High School. “We don't have to make a commitment to spending a lot of money on them. We can check out a wealth of books for the summer, many more than we could possibly spend money on." 

Some may hold a view of public libraries as stodgy and antiquated places. The Guardabascio family quickly let go of any notions like these after visiting a few new LBPL branches. Shiela Sorenson, Community Information Specialist for the LBPL, was there at the Michelle Obama Library to document the Guardabascio family visit and give InsideLB the lowdown on the new face of the LBPL. 

"It's a common misconception that we are competing against schools, against technology, when honestly, the library's here to embrace and support all of them," said Sorenson. "We've kind of tacked on the technology by bringing on our own 3-D printers and interactive virtual reality programs. We have audio books, digital eBooks, and we offer streaming services. If anything, the library's here to embrace change."

Sorenson also told InsideLB about various LBPL community outreach programs such as the Book Bike. 

"Basically, it's a bike with a big box, and instead of delivering ice cream, we're delivering books, flyers, little prizes, just to get to the spaces that our staff usually can't get to," Sorenson said.

You might have seen the Book Bike around town. It makes appearances at several community events like Beach Streets, First Fridays in Bixby Knolls, Fourth Fridays on Fourth Street and many more.

“We're just trying to be involved with the community and reach people who don't know about the library, who haven't been to the library since they were kids,” added Sorenson.  

At the Michelle Obama Library's state-of-the-art computer lab, the public can learn how to use Photoshop, how to video edit and even learn basic computer programs if they don't have a computer at home.

So, do the Guardabascios think that books are being lost in the internet shuffle? 

"I probably would have thought that before I had kids," said Higa, "but, to be honest, our kids get a decent amount of 'screen time'—PBS shows, Netflix and Sesame Street apps on our phones—but there's nothing that replaces the feeling of a book that you can flip through.”

Higa mentioned how even though her two-year-old daughter doesn't know how to read yet, she can tell herself the story based on the pictures that she sees.

“There's no replacing that. I think books will be around for a while," Higa added.

 "I wouldn't be where I am today as a writer or a citizen without libraries and specifically without the librarians in the Long Beach Libraries," added Guardabascio, reflecting on his own childhood.

"I told my librarian Mrs. Waterman at the Ruth Bach LBPL branch that I wanted to be a writer when I was 10 and she was so encouraging. She's now my son's librarian at El Dorado and told me that everyone had been rooting for me as I started working at newspapers in town. That's not going to happen with a private company that's just trying to make money off you."

During their visit to the Michelle Obama Library on a balmy, summer afternoon, the Guardabascio kids roamed through the bountiful raised-bed gardens near the front entrance, then made their way inside to gaze into the Lego display case (the branch hosts a Lego Club on Thursdays), let Higa guide them through some interactive virtual reality computer programs, and of course, to flip through the Library's huge book selection. 

"I'm a writer, my wife teaches English," said Guardabascio, who is currently co-editor of his own non-profit community journalism outlet for local sports, The562.org. "Literacy is very important to both of us as a fun part of our lives, so it's always important for our kids to feel that way."