Have you thanked a librarian lately? This is the perfect time of year to do so because today marks the last day of National Library Week. The observance highlights the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers by celebrating the dynamic changes happening in today’s libraries.
Libraries are many things to many people. They work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover and address the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, programs for job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, libraries and librarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. The week even offers recognition to individual groups within the library as part of the celebration. Tuesday, April 12, was National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and “friends” groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Wednesday, April 13, was National Bookmobile Day, a day to recognize the contributions of our nation’s bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities.
If you’re on social media and want to give a shoutout to your favorite libraries you can still use the hashtag #NLW16 through today, or you can jump on to the #LibrariesTranform campaign. This new public awareness campaign from the American Library Association helps spread the word about the importance of libraries in people’s lives by explaining how libraries transform with “because” statements like: “Because students can’t afford scholarly journals on a ramen noodle budget” and “Because more than a quarter of U.S. households don’t have a computer with an internet connection.”
If you have a computer at home, or you stop in to your local Delaware County District Library branch, visit www.ilovelibraries.org/librariestranform for more information. While you’re on the web, reserve one of our new DVDs on the shelves. They include:
• “Concussion.” The true David vs. Goliath story of Dr. Omalu (Will Smith) and his quest that puts him at odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
• “The 5th Wave.” A group of teen survivors fight to save the human race from extinction after four waves of alien attacks decimate the planet.
• “The Forest.” Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) stars as a young woman whose search for her missing sister plunges her into a dark world where angry spirits drive people to suicide.
• “The Lady in the Van.” Maggie Smith plays Miss Shepherd, a woman who “temporarily” parks her van in a man’s driveway and proceeds to live there for 15 years.
• “Point Break.” A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists.
• “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” As a new threat to the galaxy rises, Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, an ex-stormtrooper, must join Han Solo and Chewbacca to search for the one hope of restoring peace.
• “Tumbledown.” When a music scholar (Jason Sudeikis) and the protective widow (Rebecca Hall) of an acclaimed singer collaborate on a book, their stormy partnership blossoms into an unexpected connection.
