City Council Meeting Date: March 5, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Teresa Jensen, Library & IT Director
Title
National Library Week proclamation, April 7-13, 2019.
Body
Action Requested:
Northfield City Council is being asked to approve the attached resolution declaring April 7-13 as National Library Week in Northfield.
Summary Report:
The Library Board is requesting the City Council declare April 7-13 as National Library Week in Northfield in recognition of the importance of libraries in the life of our community. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. In Northfield we especially want to recognize the contributions of the school media centers and the college libraries as well as the public library.
The theme for this year’s library week is “Libraries = Strong Communities”
Over the years, Northfield has celebrated this week with a variety of activities including author visits, displays, coffee/refreshments and contests. In 2019 those activities will include:
§ Monday, April 8, the State of America’s Libraries Report will be released. At the library, community input solicited to “Share your Library Story”
§ Tuesday, April 9 is National Library Workers Day - time to celebrate those who make our libraries work so well. Coffee and treats in the library atrium.
§ Wednesday, April 10 is National Bookmobile Day; a day to recognize the contributions of our nation’s bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities. The public is invited to tour the bookmobile. #BookmoibleDay2019.
• Thursday, April 11 is Take Action for Libraries Day. Social Media Blast - Sharing the Library Stories
• Friday, April 12: Dulcimer performance
For the first time, we also plan on conducting a one-week-long fine forgiveness initiative during National Library Week, with City Council approval.
The past year has been a tremendously positive and eventful year for the library. In May we will mark the 3 year anniversary of our grand re-opening of our library renovation; our increased use by library patrons reflects the public satisfaction with their new/ old library. We continue our popular Northfield Poet Laureate program, our outreach services into underserved populations, including seniors and the Hispanic community, our new initiatives including the City ID and the Link Center, and the second year of our Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2019. Support from the City, our patrons, the library Friends and from funding and philanthropic organizations such as the Ames Foundation have been critical to the success of the library. Please join us in celebrating an important year for the library, and in the anticipation of another great year in 2019.
Alternative Options:
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Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
April 7-13, 2019