What do you geek?

Public libraries across the country, including the Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe, are taking part in a "Geek the Library" campaign to raise awareness of the value of public libraries."Geek the Library" is a community-based campaign by the nonprofit OCLC and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The multiyear program has reached hundreds of libraries and will continue throughout February at Dimmick.While the word "geek" is often used as a noun to describe a person, it can also be used as a verb. To "geek" means to enjoy, to express interest in a subject, or to possess a large amount of knowledge about a topic."Some people look at 'geek' as a negative word, but it's not. It's what you love to do," said Mariann Kmetz, the director of the Dimmick Memorial Library, who geeks running and quilting.She has found ways to pursue both of her passions at the library, browsing through nutrition books or finding inspiration and patterns in the library's quilting books."We want to start a dialogue about the importance of libraries," said Kmetz. "I've talked to a lot of people. They love our access to computers and free Internet access. They love to read. One person even told us that it's 'the best place in the whole world.' For this building to be gone would be a real tragedy."Kmetz said in addition to traditional book lending, the library also lends movies and offers magazines to browse through on site. But their electronic outreach goes even further, offering thousands of free downloadable books through the Carbon Lehigh Downloadable Library on Overdrive, nearly 100 magazines for free download on Zinio, and more.The number of "remote users" at Dimmick is growing, she noted. These are people who have a Dimmick Memorial Library card, but don't often set foot in the building to use the library's services."We don't always see them walk in to the library, but we know they're there," she says."There is so much information online. You just need to come in and get a library card to access all of it."Area libraries also continue to offer services such as fax, copying and scanning documents, and access to tax forms."We can offer them so much more than we used to," said Kmetz. "It's not always about books. We support students doing research for their homework. We support job seekers who need to use the Internet to search for job openings. Families can come here to renew their car insurance online, or look up information on car repairs. Whatever your passion or need, the library is the place to go."Kmetz noted that she hopes Geek the Library will be a "first step" for Dimmick. Area libraries are in desperate need of financial support, as both state and local funds and individual donations continue to decrease. Kmetz is looking to increase awareness and enthusiasm through the month, and to also gather data that can be shared with area supporters."If they want us to continue to offer these things, we need financial support," said Kmetz. "What we offer absolutely justifies what we need in financial support."