Libraries Transform! Celebrate National Library Week @ Your Lewis & Clark Library!
April 3, 2017 (Helena, MT) –During National Library Week, April 9-15th, Your Lewis & Clark Library joins libraries in schools, campuses, and communities nationwide in celebrating the many ways libraries are transforming their communities every day through the services and invaluable expertise they offer.
National Library Week is a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians, and library workers. Libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community centers where people can collaborate using new technologies, take a computer class, join in a book discussion, or simply enjoy a good book.
Libraries of all types are evolving to meet the needs of the communities they serve. By providing such resources as e-books, technology classes, materials for life-long learners, and early childhood literacy programs, libraries and librarians transform their communities.
“The library embraces the entire community, offering unlimited opportunities for personal growth and lifelong learning,” said Lewis & Clark Library Director, John Finn. “Libraries level the playing field for people of any age who are seeking the information and access to technologies that will improve their quality of life.”
Libraries also offer something unique to their communities, the expertise of individual librarians. 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.
Your Lewis & Clark Library is celebrating National Library Week with a series of events and programs for the entire family. The Library will again sponsor “Food for Fines” during National Library Week. Patrons owing fines can bring in non-perishable food items and have their fines waived. Some restrictions apply, patrons must have all items returned and not have their account in collections. The Library will donate the food to Helena Food Share. “It is a great way to clear up your library account and help out Helena Food Share,” explained Finn.
In addition, the Library will host ABCs (Absolute Beginners Computing) class Tuesday-Friday, April 11-14 from 10-11:30 AM. This fun, hands-on course is designed to teach basic computer skills including using the mouse and keyboard, working in Microsoft Windows, using Microsoft Word, using the Internet and more. Seating is limited so please register at the Library’s Information Desk.
On Saturday, April 15th from 10AM-Noon, the Library will host an Open Lab in the Computer Lab. In Open Lab, Library staff will help with email, Facebook, Internet, Word etc. Patrons can bring their own laptops and follow along what staff are doing on the Library computer. Call 447-1690 to sign up for a 20 minute slot.
Little Ones and their care givers can enjoy some early childhood literacy programs during National Library Week as well. Books & Babies for babies, toddlers, & their grownups focuses on the five early literacy practices: Play, Sing, Read, Talk, and Write. Books & Babies meets every Monday at 10:30AM and 1:30PM and on Tuesday’s at 10:30AM. Join us for songs, rhymes, finger plays, stories, and play time!
Children’s Services Librarian Marissa Bazan hosts Preschool Story Time every Wednesday and Thursday morning at 10:30 on the Story Steps. Preschool Story Time is a 30 minute program that emphasizes early literacy skills for caregivers and their children.
Kids in grades K-5are invited to attend LEGO Club on Monday, April 10th from 3-4PM. They can create a cool creature, a robot, their dream house, or anything they imagine out of the Library’s collection of LEGOs! Build on your own or build together.
Teens, don’t miss the last ACE the ACT: ACT Study Group: on April 12th from 4-5PM.
This study group is free for teen participants. Teen Services Librarian Heather Dickerson will show participants how they can utilize library resources, free online tools, and access the official Peterson’s ACT Prep Guide using Lewis & Clark Library’s Education and Test Prep database, to best prepare for the ACT. Participants should bring writing materials, a calculator, and/or a laptop computer.
After completing the study session, students can take a full mock ACT test at the Library on the 13th from 4-8:30PM. Dickerson will proctor a full mock exam for all interested high school students. Pizza will be served at the break. Registration is required for both ACT events. Call or stop by the Library’s Information Desk to register.
Wednesday, April 12th is National Bookmobile Day and your Lewis & Clark Library Bookmobile is planning some special events to celebrate. If you haven’t visited the Bookmobile, this is the day to do so, encourages Bookmobile Librarian, Bretagne Byrd. You will find the Bookmobile at: Skelton Park from 10-10:45AM; Treehouse Preschool from 11-11:45AM; Son Heaven at 1PM; Hunters Pointe from 2-3PM; and at Bryant Elementary for the YMCA After School Care from 4-5PM.
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 the Lewis & Clark Library website at www.lclibrary.org.
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