This spring, the American River College Library teamed up with the Sacramento Public Library to reach out and inform students about the opportunities to receive valuable resources for school and life from the Sacramento libraries. Since last spring, they have joined forces to give students information two times a semester. On March 4, when students went to the ARC Library, they met with librarians from the Sacramento Public Library, where Katie Dekorte works as an adult services specialist.

“The main goal for this is [to spread] awareness of the public library,” Dekorte said.

When students walk up the steps to the ARC Library during a Sacramento Library visit, they will find a table with information about signing up for a free library card from the Sacramento Public Library.

“I’ll share a few things, and maybe something piques your interest, [and] that’ll get you in the door, and then you can see everything else that we can provide,” Dekorte said.

The desk has a variety of items to help students with their studies, including items with the Sacramento Public Library branding.

“My favorite thing is our pre-packed pencil pouch,” Dekorte said.

The pouch includes sticky notes, pens, bookmarks and information on Libby and Hoopla. The stationary in the pouches provides students with tools to help them research. Libby focuses on providing eBooks and audiobooks. Hoopla gives library card members access to a broader range of media like movies and music. Both programs are accessible with the Sacramento Public Library card.

Hilary Mroczka, the campus technical services librarian, and Dekorte worked together previously at the Rancho Cordova branch. In 2024, Dekorte contacted to Mroczka about the campus library hosting the Sacramento Public Library for an outreach event. 

“It was good to reconnect and create this,” Mroczka said.

If students need to study when the ARC Library is closed, Sacramento Public Libraries are available Monday through Saturday. 

“[The public libraries have] other books that sometimes we can’t have, even when we’re helping students at the reference desk, particularly if they’re looking for a novel,” Mroczka said.

There is also a further connection between Los Rios libraries and Sacramento Public Library through the ARC Natomas campus. The North Natomas branch houses books for the ARC Natomas campus.

“I think just for students, knowing that there are so many resources available to them, whether it is within the college or whether it is within the community,” Mroczka said. 

The access to programs and tools for students fits with Mroczka’s perspective on guiding students to success.

“I think supporting students any way we can is the best thing to do,” Mroczka said. 

Dekorte and the Sacramento Public Library are optimistic about future events with ARC. 

“I think it’s been successful, and so I would like to continue coming,” Dekorte said.