National Library Week brings communities and libraries across the nation together to celebrate library workers and encourage the community to visit their local public library.
This year, National Library Week will be celebrated on April 4-10, with this year’s theme being, “Welcome to your Library.”
“Everyone here at Huntsville Public Library is excited about the week-long celebration because it gives us another great opportunity to interact with the public in a special way,” Huntsville Public Library Services Specialist Brenda Collins said. “National Library Week is a national observance, which highlights the essential role libraries, librarians and library personnel play in transforming lives, enriching families and building community.”
The Huntsville Public Library provides many programs for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. For National Library Week, the Huntsville Public Library promotes all that they do for the community, despite having limited connections to the public due to COVID-19.
“As National Library Week was approaching, the library staff were perplexed as far as how to celebrate, especially with the challenges of COVID-19,” Huntsville Public Library City Librarian Rachel McPhail said.
The Huntsville Public Library has kept COVID-19 social distancing guidelines in mind when planning these activities, providing the public virtually or in-person options.
“As Rachel [McPhail] mentioned, we have scheduled different activities each day in the hope that we can engage with people in our area to not only ensure they know the value we provide but also learn what is important to them,” Collins said.
The American Library Association website has been promoting National Library Week with high expectations of a successful turnout.
“Natalie Portman, Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, author and activist, will lend her star power to shine a spotlight on our nation’s libraries as the honorary chair of National Library Week,” the ALA announced via their website.
The Huntsville Public Library has seven activities planned for every day of the week. According to Collins, on Wednesday, April 7 at 10:40 a.m., the library will be hosting its first virtual story time in conjunction with the National Library Week festivities. On Friday, April 9, musical entertainment will be provided by a jazz quintet of Sam Houston State University students.
“This year’s events at the library are unique from anything we have done in the past since we had to keep in mind that some people may be more comfortable coming into the physical building than others are, which is something we totally understand. We want people to still feel that the library is here for them,” McPhail said. “Brenda Collins gathered ideas from the staff and turned them into something we are all so excited about.”
For more information about National Library Week, call Library Services Specialist Brenda Collins at (936) 291-5481 or visit http://www.myhuntsvillelibrary.com.