National Library Week 2011: Telling Their Own Stories

May 2, 2011

National Library Week (NLW) 2011 was observed April 10–16, with the theme, “Create your own story @ your library.” Libraries nationwide hosted programs in honor of the week that included a focus on bookmobiles, children, wise use of money, reading, library workers, bookmobiles, teens, and preservation.

First sponsored in 1958, NLW is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and celebrated in libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries—school, public, academic, and special—participate.’

 

Award-winning author and illustrator Kadir Nelson joins (from left) Blaine and Kyra Richardson during a book signing at Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Public Library’s main branch.
Local children’s book author Julie Guerry (The Rossman) brings her dog—who is the hero of her book—and a helper to a reading at Chattanooga-Hamilton County (Tenn.) Bicentennial Public Library’s main branch.
High-schooler Amanda Lee Bogart and middle-school student Austin Reale join young-adult author Chris Crutcher as the two youngsters celebrate being the recipients of Loudoun County (Va.) Public Library “It’s All Write” short story contest in their respective grade categories.
Children of the Newark Preschool Council learn about spending, saving, and sharing in activities at Newark (N.J.) Public Library, part of a new initiative in financial education for preschoolers created by Sesame Street and the PNC Foundation. The library received a grant from PNC to teach financial basics across its nine-branch system utilizing a Sesame Street multimedia kit. For more info, visit pncgrowupgreat.com.
Rock Island firefighter Chad Chindlund of the Central Fire Station reads to children at Rock Island (Ill.) Public Library’s 30/31 branch. The library’s Children’s Department hosted special “Community Helper” storytimes with volunteer readers from the police and fire departments.
Staffers (left to right) Tammy Adams, Kelly Butler, Addison Canevaro, and Lynn Allen show off the Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Public Library bookmobile during National Bookmobile Day April 13, as part of NLW.
Kimberly Kennedy shows off the Nook she won in the Kenton County (Ky.) Public Library’s contest for the best story on how the library helped or changed her life. Kennedy was one of three winners.
Fans of John Green line the balcony of Plainfield–Guilford Township (Ind.) Public Library to await a program where the teen fiction author spoke about his books and the importance of libraries in the world we live in.

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