Mudd library celebrates national library week

Tammy Tran

The Seeley G. Mudd library will be celebrating National Library Week April 10-16.

“The purpose of National Library Week,” said Circulation and Inter-Library Loan AssistantAngela Vanden Elzen, “is to promote the services and support that are available from libraries. We at the Mudd Library feel it is particularly important to get the word out because of the key role a library plays in a university setting.”

Sponsored by the American Library Association, National Library Week first began in 1958 in libraries throughout the country. Since then, a wide range of libraries, including school, academic and public libraries, have used National Library Week as a time to encourage and celebrate library use.

For the past three years, the Seeley G. Mudd library staff has been in search of a creative and fun way to engage patrons during National Library Week. Said Vanden Elzen, “This year, we’ve planned our events around the American Library Association’s National Library Week theme, ‘Create your own story @ your library,’ and made sure that there will be plenty of cookies.”

In hopes of raising awareness about the resources available at the Seeley G. Mudd library, a wide range of programming has been planned for National Library Week. All members of the Lawrence community are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Events are as follows:

What is it?: Beginning Sunday, April 10, old and interesting items will be placed in a display case near reference desk. All are encouraged to stop by the library and take a guess at what the items are. Winning entries will be added to a prize drawing, and new items will be added to the display each day. Want to be more creative? Lawrentians are encouraged to share outlandish guesses, or even short stories about the items on an easel near the display. The library staff’s favorite stories will be posted on the Seeley G. Mudd library Facebook page!

Gadgets in the Library: All week long, the Mudd library will be featuring gadgets available for checkout from the library. Checking out these gadgets will allow Lawrentians to share their creative sides.

Library Workers Appreciation Day: Stop by the library Tuesday, April 12, and thank our student library workers for all of their hard work.

Visit the Reference Desk and Get a Cookie: Get a cookie for asking a question at the reference desk Wednesday, April 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Yes, “May I have a cookie?” is acceptable.

Creativity Blast: Stop by the Milwaukee-Downer room Wednesday, April 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to share your products of creativity. Everything is welcomed: sketches, photographs, a read-aloud of your favorite or your own short story or poetry, performance of a monologue, a sweater you have just finished knitting — the list goes on. Refreshments will be available.

Things Worth Knowing: In this week’s episode of “Things Worth Knowing,” the Mudd library will highlight librarians in the media. From Rupert Giles to Batgirl, learn all about their exciting adventures. Cookies, as per usual, will be available. This event will be taking place Friday, April 15 from 4:30-5 p.m. Those attending are asked to meet at the new book area on the first floor of the Mudd library.