National Library Week April 8-14 is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. First sponsored in 1958, it is a time to celebrate the contributions of the nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries — school, public, academic and special — participate.
Librarians have long been trailblazers when it comes to issues like equity of access and intellectual freedom; beyond that, their services and expertise help lead people to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. The theme of “Libraries Transform: Libraries Lead” showcases this transformative leadership of libraries and librarians for the public.
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library is transforming by offering a variety of programming and resources to meet the needs of a diverse population.
“This library system embraces the entire community by providing equal access to information and resources for free,” said Director Erin Busbea.
“Our library really works to serve the needs of the people by providing access to resources and technology that encourage growth and development in hopes of improving a person’s quality of life.”
Libraries also offer something unique to their communities, the expertise of individual librarians, Busbea continued. Librarians assist patrons in using increasingly complex technology and sorting through the potentially overwhelming mass of information bombarding today’s digital society. This is especially crucial when access to reliable and trustworthy data is more important than ever.
Library Week programming
Scheduled programs at various Lowndes County libraries are sponsored by the Friends of the Library group and include:
– 10-11 a.m.: Coffee with a Cop (Caledonia Public Library)
– 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Library User Appreciation (Crawford Public Library)
– 5 p.m.: “Through the Lens of Carl Brown: Lowndes County in the 1940s-1950s” exhibit opening reception (Columbus-Lowndes Public Library).
– 10-11 a.m.: Introduction to Email (Artesia Public Library)
– 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Library User Appreciation (Artesia)
– 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Legos in the Library, ages 5-12 (Columbus)
– 5:30 p.m.: Library Scavenger Hunt, all ages (Columbus).
– 9-10:30 a.m.: Coffee with a Cop (Columbus)
– 3-4 p.m.: Library User Appreciation (Caledonia and Columbus)
– 4-6 p.m.: Legos in the Library, ages 13 to 18 (Columbus).
– 10-11:00 a.m.: Caledonia Coffee Club (Caledonia)
– 4-6 p.m.: Second annual Edible Book Festival (Columbus)
– 5-6:30 p.m.: BYOCrafting Circle (Columbus).
– 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Library Open House (Columbus)
– 2-3 p.m.: Special National Library Week Story Time with Mother Goose (Columbus).
For more information, visit the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System at 314 Seventh St. N., call 662-329-5300 or see the library’s website at lowndeslibrary.com. Downtown library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Saturday,10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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