Wesson Friends of the Library (FOL) led the local celebration of National Library Week (April 23-29) last month with a storytime event for children in kindergarten through the third grade.
In line with the goal of the celebration to encourage a broad spectrum of the community to discover library resources, the event on April 27 not only brought kids to Wesson Public Library at 1012 Spring Street, but parents and even older siblings to help the youngsters who needed support to get there at a tender age.
While the kids listened attentively to stories that were read to them by FOL volunteers from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the adults and older children and youth had an opportunity to learn that library services go way beyond checking out and returning books – the purpose of the national celebration framed thematically by “There’s More to the Story.”
In explaining the focus of National Library Week, the American Library Association pointed out: “Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more. But there's so much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.”
Wesson Public Library provides internet access, lends videos and DVDs, and brings the community together through its Summer Reading Program, arts and craft exhibits, and many educational activities for both children and adults. The library also supports organizations and businesses in the community.
The first National Library Week celebration was proclaimed by President Eisenhower in 1958. He wrote:
“Let National Library Week be a time for the appraisal of community needs for library services and of the means for meeting them, for encouraging the development of a better-read, better-informed citizenry, and for rededication to that fine public service that has always been characteristic of the libraries of America.”
The celebration honors the contributions of general and specialized libraries, public and private alike and the personnel who staff them.