HML celebrating National Library Week

This week, Hastings Memorial 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. 

April 9-15 is National Library Week, 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, have access to technology, and learn new skills and hobbies.

Libraries of all types are evolving to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Elected officials, small business owners, students, and the public at large depend upon libraries and the resources they offer to address the needs of their communities. By providing such resources as e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, programs for job seekers or a safe haven in times of crisis, libraries and librarians transform their communities.

“Hastings Memorial Library’s transformation is currently focused on youth in our community,” said Robin Quinn, library director. “Our very popular after school program will wrap up for the summer the first week in May, our new Toddler Time for Families is held the third Tuesday of each month, and our new early childhood literacy initiative is underway. In June, our summer activities will kick off with our annual summer reading program.” 

“The library embraces the entire community, offering unlimited opportunities for personal growth and lifelong learning,” she added. “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. 

Hastings Memorial Library is celebrating National Library Week with a week-long open house featuring snacks and refreshments and prize drawings. The Hastings Memorial Library Foundation will also be holding its annual silent auction basket fundraiser at the library throughout the week. The library will also be kicking off the 1,000 Books by Kindergarten program for area families with kids ages 0-5.

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 Hastings Memorial Library at 505 Central Avenue in Grant, call (308) 352-4894, or see the library’s Web site at http://libraries.ne.gov/grant. 

Library hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon.