Celebrate Your Library
By Pat Rutkowski | New Britain Public Library Director at April 1, 2024 | 8:30 am | Print
April is a time to celebrate libraries. And at NBPL, we have our celebration activities starting with National Library Week, April 10 – 16. Sponsored by the National Library Association, it was first observed in 1958 to acknowledge libraries for all the important work that they do and the valuable contributions that they make. This year’s theme is Libraries Transform – something we all can attest to be true.
During that week, stop by on Tuesday, April 12, National Library Workers Day, to thank a library worker. Where would we be without this wonderful staff that works so hard and makes it all happen? It only makes sense that during National Library Week, a special day is set aside to recognize the contributions of their valuable library work.
Since it is a month to celebrate our library it makes sense to add more festivities to the celebration. We will be participating in the statewide Connecticut Library Association’s Passport to Connecticut Libraries program during the month. Stop by to pick up a library passport. Visit at least 5 of the 124 participating libraries, get your passport stamped and receive a free token gift. Turn in your passport in May for a chance to win a Visa gift card in the statewide drawing. Four winners will be selected. It’s a great opportunity to see the many wonderful libraries Connecticut has.
April is also our kick off of the library’s Annual Giving Campaign which raises additional funds for the library. This support enables the library to achieve projects and services, which are not possible to do with our budget. Past donations have renovated the Community Room, added our downloadable e-book and audio book collection and accomplished preservation work on our majestic, historic buildings. Anyone can make a donation. No donation is too small…and of course none is too large! Letters are sent out at the beginning of April. Let us know if you would like to be added to our mailing list or pick up a donation form at the library. Those who donate to the library are our Library Champions. They believe in what the library does and are committed to supporting the library with their generosity. Their donation is a strong statement of the importance of the library in the community and each is a gift of the heart which benefits many.
At the end of the month, on April 30, 9 -1 a.m., we are planning an USPS Special Passport Event in our Community Room. Get a new passport or your present passport renewed. Call the Information Desk (860-224-3155 ext. 125) for the cost and what you need to bring.
And last but certainly not least, it’s time for the Friends of the Library Annual Spring Book Sale. The sale starts Wednesday, April 20 with a preview day, 2 - 6 p.m. with a $5 admission. It continues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The treasures are endless. The prices are bargains. Some special attractions: magic, architecture, art, language instruction, comic books, graphic novels and vintage sheet music. Our Friends are also Library Champions. A dedicated group of volunteers, they work hard to raise additional funds for the library and are very successful in doing so. How about joining the Friends of the Library? Applications are available at the library or on our web page (www.nbpl.info). You get free admission to the book sale on Preview Wednesday!
