It’s a good time to give your local library a look

National Library Week, April 7-13, is a celebration of our libraries and the many wonderful services they offer. The first National Library Week in 1958 was developed to ask people to remember the humble book, as television, radio and other forms of entertainment competed for their attention. The library still promotes a culture of reading but has kept pace with our modern digital life providing access to e-books, downloadable audiobooks, streaming video and more.

The theme of this year’s National Library Week is “Ready, Set, Library,” encouraging everyone to start something new at the library. Whether you are trying to launch a career, explore a hobby or find fun activities for your family, the library has something for you. Beyond slogans and promotional campaigns, this is a powerful idea worth thinking about. In addition to its many resources, what the library offers is a place to connect and build community around shared interests. Whether you come alone or with friends, the library is your space to discuss books and movies, design and make things together, or attend a lecture or workshop led by local experts.

As a librarian at the Roselle Public Library, I have had the honor and pleasure over the years to see all these principles in action. Our staff genuinely cares about our patrons and we enjoy getting to know and work with them to build the best shared experiences possible. A vibrant, dynamic library adapts to the needs of the population it serves and this is what drives us at Roselle: to be a welcoming and useful place for everyone.

If you are someone who hasn’t thought about the library in a while, I would invite you to give your library a second look. I think you will be surprised and delighted at what you find.

John Rimer

Roselle