A national campaign that started in 1958 to increase library use
as Americans became increasingly enthralled with television and
radio still resonates today with the same goal, and with many of
the same societal obstacles.
A national campaign that started in 1958 to increase library use as Americans became increasingly enthralled with television and radio still resonates today with the same goal, and with many of the same societal obstacles.
Locally, the San Benito County Free Library will observe National Library Week April 6–12 to increase the youth population’s enthusiasm for the library and reading.
Head Librarian Jo Wahdan said she is particularly excited about two programs – a presentation Tuesday about the library’s online tutor and a “Teen Night Out” Friday to close the week-long celebration.
“I feel the library is alive,” Wahdan said. “I know the library is important to a lot of people. The general populace just sometimes needs to be reminded.”
The American Library Association sponsors National Library Week to recognize the contributions of libraries in the community and to promote increased use. Each year the ALA chooses a new theme; for 2003 it is “@ Your Library.” The San Benito County Library will run a program, primarily targeting children, each day of the week.
For Tuesday’s “Live Homework All Star Tournament,” staff member James Ghiorzi will introduce parents of students in fifth through 12th grades to the library’s online teaching program, Tutor.com, which offers live help from a human tutor over the Internet. It covers math, English and science and breaks down subjects into different grade levels. The service operates on seven computers, and the library’s current subscription runs out in September. The presentation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.
Friday’s “Let’s Party, Teen Night Out” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. includes a scavenger hunt throughout the library and disk jockey Sergio Flores donating his services. Wahdan said she expects about 50 to 60 kids, many of them from the Hollister Youth Alliance and the San Benito Prevention Coalition. Youths will also be eligible for raffle prizes.
“It teaches them to use and look for things throughout the library,” Wahdan said.
Additionally, the library will award its annual Volunteer of the Year Monday, and four other programs are on the week’s regular schedule of events. Mondays feature “Newborn Story Time” at 10 a.m. for children from birth to 2 years. “Sleepy Story Time” is held Tuesdays from 6 to 6:30 p.m. for children ages 3 to 5. Wednesday is a showing of “Lilo and Stitch” at 3:30 p.m. for kids 6 years old and over. Also on Wednesday is “Pre-school Story Time” at 10:30 a.m. for children ages 3 to 5.
For more information on National Library Week, call the library at 636-4107.
