Gaber takes over duties as Tomball librarian

Gaber takes over duties as Tomball librarian Larry Gaber However. Gaber U quick li noli lhal r. as Hie support it receives irom mat community, according to Gaber. • "I think it's overlooked that a library makes a large financial committment to a community. If the average price of a new book came to $10 a book and the facility circulated 150,000 publications per year, that works out to well over $1 million. " If an industry brought in that kind of an economic input to the community it would be looked at differently,” said Gaber. "But on an annual budget of $40,000 for materials and maybe $100,000 for maintenance and salaries, the community is receiving a large return on an annual budget.” However, Gaber realizes that Tom¬ ball may be in a better situation than many of the other areas served by Har¬ ris County libraries. "Tomball may be in a unique situa¬ tion because many of the other libraries came up recently after the growth of the subdivisions dictated their develop¬ ment. Tomball's library has been in ex¬ istence for five decades, therefore many services we offer to the public have been available for years.” However, Gaber is quick to note that uie nuiaiy will not attempt to be all tilings to everyone. “I’ve seen too many libraries try to. do. too much, spreading themselves too thin and not doing anything very well. We don't want to do that because we don’t want to short¬ change anyone.” Traditionally, the Friends of the Library have been quite active in the development of the library. Gaber said this must continue if the community wishes to be properly served. The Friends organization could be us¬ ed to organize innovative services and programs to attract more revenue. The membership must be expected to pro¬ vide financial, volunteer and public relations help when the need arises. "The Friends and the library . work together to prepare the library for . the expected. growth of the area. As Tomball grows, a lager service area will be established and more demands will be placed on the library," explain¬ ed Gaber. After leaving the service, Gaber became interested in libraries because “it was one of the few places left for a generalisL” He said that he did not want to become highly specialized but preferred to have a little knowledge of many subjects. “I like the variety. There's always something different and a deifferent person requesting it," he added.