Local libraries prepare to celebrate National Library Week
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Local libraries are preparing for an annual celebration to highlight the resources they offer.
National Library Week runs from Sunday, April 6, through Saturday, April 12.
"National Library Week has been around for over 50 years, and it's just an opportunity for us in the library community to highlight libraries and welcome people to the library," said Mary Beth Revels, the director of the St. Joseph Public Library.
Not only do libraries serve as a place to check out books and get information, they also help with quite a bit more.
"We have free Wi-Fi connections, we have free computers," Revels said. "People can just come to the library and print something. We do notaries at the library, we do a ton of programming."
Kelly Morris, the manager of the Rolling Hills Library Belt Branch, said the facilities also offer a community gathering space.
"Libraries are really important to the community," said Kelly Morris, the manager of the Rolling Hills Library Belt Branch. "Not only because we provide books, movies, all sorts of materials like that. Libraries also provide a place for the community to gather, people to meet."
Both the St. Joseph Public and the Rolling Hills libraries are marking the week with special activities.
Rolling Hills will be hatching baby chicks, not only to celebrate National Library Week but also spring.
The St. Joseph Public Library will have prize drawings at all four branches where people can enter every time they visit in person.
Prizes include a copy of If You Give a Dog a Donut but Laura Joffe Numeroff, as well as a stuffed toy pf the book's main character for babies to six-year-olds, a $25 Visa card for ages seven through 17.
Adults 18 and over can also win a $25 Visa card.
Both Revels and Morris said there would also be other events happening during National Library Week.
Some of which include, a blood drive on Friday, April 11 and the Downtown library, a Wicked Sing Along on Sunday, April 6 at the Downtown library, learn to Crochet- for kids and a woodworking workshop at the Rolling Hills Belt Branch on Thursday, April 10.
