A few weeks ago the public library here in Los Banos closed its doors to the public for a couple of days so that a cadre of local volunteers including Rotarians, Members of Friends of the Library, volunteers from Lowe's, and others could give the interior a new coat of paint. This was part of an ongoing effort undertaken by members of the Los Banos community to give the library a facelift.

I wrote a fairly long story about this which was published in the Los Banos Enterprise on pages B1 and B2 last Friday. The following photo essay will compliment the story which includes nor only information about the painting project but upcoming work that is planned for the library grounds as well as mention of previous work undertaken primarily by the Rotary Club which included a lot of landscaping work.

Future projects are planned and you will be able to read about them here. Be sure to check the calendar of events and the front page of this site for notices and calls for volunteers!

Here is the photo essay:

Just before the library closed its doors for the weekend patrons were busy using the small compliment of public computers, checking out books and doing research.

One of the walls to be painted was evidently used to test color choices some time prior to the scheduled painting day.

Prior to the painting, a view from the 'children's section'.

...and then the fun starts. Prep work is everything in painting and lots of supplies and hands were needed to accomplish the task.

Dick Gerbi and Councilwoman stone prepare to mask the lower part of the walls.

Nail holes and other abrasions were patched and spackled.

While on the other side of the room walls were scrubbed and cleaned.

Drop cloths were laid or hung so as to protect books and previous paint work.

Los Banos City Councilwoman Elizabeth Stone places masking tape to protect a window frame from excess paint.

And then the brushes and roller started to fly!

John Spevak begins 'cutting in' with the new light blue paint.

Rotarian Mike Larson does some detail work.

Mr. Ryan works up high on the ladder painting the trim areas.

If everyone in Los Banos would just take 1 or 2 hours a month to do something to help their neighborhood or their community we could truly make Los Banos the gem of the valley.

The above is only my personal opinion and I strongly encourage readers to seek out more information from expert sources. Copyright 2009