By JENNIFER DUNNE | Special to The Sun
Next week, April 12–18, the Moorestown Library will join libraries across the nation in celebrating National Library Week. And now more than ever, there’s a lot to celebrate about libraries.
So far this year, the Moorestown Library has circulated nearly 13,500 items each month, including books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks and more. That’s almost 1,000 more items each month than last year. Each week, 150 children come to the library for storytime. The library’s free Internet access remains extremely popular. We are busier than ever, and if you haven’t been here in a while, National Library Week is the perfect time to rediscover all that the library has to offer.
National Library Week began in 1958 with the goal of motivating people to read more and make use the world of information available to them in libraries. This year’s theme, Worlds Connect @ Your Library, continues that goal and celebrates our ever-growing global connections.
In honor of National Library Week, which coincides this year with the Moorestown Schools’ spring recess, the Moorestown Library has many exciting events planned for residents of all ages.
Those who like to purchase books as well as borrow them will be pleased to learn that the Book Sale is back. Book browsers can join us Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19 to stock up on a wide variety of books to suit all ages and interests. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Moorestown Library, which sponsors National Library Week and many other library programs.
From Monday through Friday, children are invited to drop in between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to make crafts representing different parts of the world. We will explore ancient Egypt by making colorful collars and cuffs, imagine ourselves in Old Japan by decorating elegant paper fans, assemble Native American beaded necklaces, take an imaginary trip to the Caribbean by making musical maracas and celebrate our world connections by making a rainbow handprint wreath. No registration is required for these programs, and they are open to children of all ages.
The highlight of our National Library Week celebration will take place Friday, April 17, from 7 to 9 p.m., when dancers from the Indonesian Cultural Club of Wilmington, Delaware, will present a performance of beautiful Balinese dance and music that’s sure to delight patrons of all ages. An educational dance workshop will follow the performance, giving the audience an opportunity to learn the art of Balinese dance for themselves. Light refreshments will be provided by Penang of Maple Shade.
Interested in checking out the action, but afraid to set foot in the library because you have overdue books? Fear not! As an added bonus, the Moorestown Library is pleased to announce that there will be no fines on overdue library materials returned to us between April 12 and April 18.
To find out more about National Library Week or other library programs or services, visit our Web site, www.moorestown.lib.nj.us, or call us at 234–0333.
Jennifer Dunne is the children’s services librarian at the Moorestown Library. She can be reached at [email protected].
