National Library Week 2023: There’s More to the Story!
March 31, 2023 (Helena, MT) –Each April, the Lewis & Clark Library joins libraries of all types in celebrating the many ways libraries build strong communities by providing critical resources, programs, and expertise.
April 23-29, 2023 is National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and communities. Libraries are at the heart of their cities, towns, schools, and campuses. They have public spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together and connect.
Libraries provide a wealth of stories, from picture books and large print to audiobooks and e-books. But there's so much more to the story of libraries.
Libraries are welcoming spaces that bring communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, workshops, lectures, and more.
Library programs encourage community members to meet to discuss civic issues; work together using new technologies like 3D printing; or learn alongside one another in a variety of classes. Library staff also partner with other civic and service organizations to actively engage with the people they serve, always striving to make sure the community’s core needs are being met.
Additionally, Libraries play a critical role in the economic vitality of communities by providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for job seekers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
“Libraries are cornerstones of democracy, promoting the free exchange of information and ideas for all,” explained Lewis & Clark Library Director John Finn. “Libraries are the community’s living room. They also foster civic engagement by keeping people informed and aware of community events and issues and libraries serve as a place where everyone can gather.” Libraries help to tell the story of the community and the community is at the heart of the Library’s story.
In celebration of National Library Week, the Lewis & Clark Library Foundation will host “Helena Reads Poetry,” on Wednesday, April 26th at 6:30PM in the Large Community Room. Formerly called the Community Leaders Poetry Reading, the event will highlight readers from all walks of life. The readers will read short excerpts of poetry and prose. The event celebrates the importance of reading and a recognition of the power of the written word. “The Foundation has been sponsoring this event since 2009 and broadened the program this year to feature a wider scope of participants,” explained Finn.
Community Readers for this year’s event include: Molly Kruckenberg, Bruce Day, Nord Johnson, McCall Flynn, Mary Irish Johnson, Keiran Boyle, Ryan Cooney, Bill Borneman, Aria Comstock and more! For more information on “Helena Reads Poetry” and the Library Foundation, visit https://www.lclibfoundation.org/.
In addition to “Helena Reads Poetry,” the Library will host “The Director is in,” on Saturday, April 29th from 11AM to 5PM. Library Director John Fill will be in the lobby to talk with patrons and learn more about how the Library tells the community’s story. “I’ve done this once before and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our patrons better and what it is about the Library they like; changes they’d like to see; and what makes this Library so special.”
Other events and programs during National Library Week include:
Main Branch:
Documentary Discussions
Sunday, April 23 at 2 PM in the Large Community Room. Blind Ambition about Zimbabwean refugees turned sommeliers competing in the World Wine Tasting Championships. An underdog story for the ages!
Watching documentaries cultivates compassion, broadens your mind, improves your knowledge, invites cross-cultural sharing, inspires conversations and creative endeavors. Join us to collectively watch a documentary and then discuss your reactions, themes and more.
Books & Babies
Mondays at 10:30AM in the Children’s Area
A lapsit storytime for babies who are not walking yet and their caregivers. Join us for 20 minutes of gentle fun featuring songs, rhymes, bounces, finger plays, and very short stories. Bond with your baby during storytime and then stay for a 30 minute open-play session to meet other caregivers and help your babies socialize. Siblings are welcome.
Builders Club
Monday, April 24, 3:00-4:30 in the Large Community Room
We’ll supply the materials; you supply the creativity! Join us for Builders Club every fourth Monday of the month from 3:00PM until 4:30PM to build unique creations with LEGOs, K’NEX, KEVA Planks, and more. Every month there will be a new building challenge. For grades K-6. Please do not bring personal toys to Builders Club.
Technology Tuesdays: Get the Most Out of Gmail
Tuesday, April 25 at 10 AM in the Small Community Room. Registration is required. Learn a variety of technology skills and tips at these free classes. On April 25 we'll learn how to get the most out of your Gmail account. Register at https://lclibrary.libcal.com/event/10523769
Toddler Tales
Tuesdays at 10:30AM in the Children’s Area
Dance, sing, rhyme, and read during this energetic storytime designed to help toddlers acquire fundamental knowledge such as shapes, numbers, colors, and more. This storytime is geared for toddlers up to three years old and their caregivers. Toddler Tales is approximately 30 minutes long, followed by a 30 minute open-play session. Siblings are welcome.
Preschool Storytime
Tuesdays at 4:00 PM, Wednesdays at 10:30 AM in the Children’s Area
Stories, songs, rhymes and finger plays. This interactive storytime reinforces a natural learning environment through movement, sounds, rhythms, and fun. Geared toward children from age three through six and their caregivers. Storytime runs for 30 minutes, followed by an optional craft in the Large Community Room. Siblings are welcome.
East Helena Branch:
Reading Circle Book Group
Friday, April 28th of the month at 3:00 PM. The title this month is Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang. A limited supply of books available to share among the group.
Democracy Project Clothing Drive
April 29th from 10AM-1PM. Teen volunteers involved in The Democracy Project are asking for cold weather clothing donations for youth and veterans, especially, although all cold weather clothing will be accepted. The clothing will then be distributed to local organizations in direct contact with those in need for such items. Please only donate clean and gently used or new clothing. The Democracy Project is a teen-led, non-partisan initiative supported by local libraries, community partners, and Humanities Montana. This program gives teens the resources to effect change and know their role in an evolving democracy through direct civic participation. Students work for six months on projects they feel are vital to their community, ending with a public showcase.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.
For more information, visit any branch of the Lewis & Clark Library in Helena, Augusta, East Helena, Lincoln, and the Bookmobile. Visit the Library’s website at http://www.lclibrary.org for a complete list of events and programs happening at the Library!
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