Happy National Library Week!

Chances are, if you asked someone on the street what was important about this week, they'd most likely say "tax day."  Ok, they would be right, but that's not all that is important about this week.  April 12-18 is National Library Week, brought to you by the American Library Association.  When I was employed by a library, National Library Week meant that lots and lots of cookies were passed out to bribe people into filling out one of our surveys.  Now that I'm a librarian without a library, I can be a little more reflective about the whole thing.  

Back in tenth grade, the head librarian of my hometown held an essay contest for my English class.  The theme was "Libraries: The Key to Democracy," and let me tell you, I had no idea what that meant.  I equated "democracy" with dead Presidents, not the building on Main Street where I used to check out Sweet Valley Twins novels.  Needless to say, I did not win the contest.  But time has passed, and now I get it.  Pure and simple, libraries are a place for everyone.  Regardless of your age, income, ethnicity, or gender, you are welcome.

So please, take advantage of this wonderful place.  Check out some books and movies.  Take your child to storytime.  Most importantly, get to know your librarian.  He or she is Walking Resource of Knowledge and would love to help you find answers to your questions (except for maybe tax questions...I think they're pretty tired of those by now).  You will be so glad that you did!

And maybe while you're there, you can fill out a survey and eat a cookie.  :-)