Williams County Public Library with locations in Bryan, Edgerton, Edon, Pioneer, Stryker, and West Unity will be joining libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library workers. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and by libraries across the country each April. “Libraries = Strong Communities” is this year’s theme for National Library Week, April 7 through April 13, 2019.
WCPL serves Williams County by providing books, magazines, newspapers, movies, music, audio books, and digital books for all ages. WCPL also provides many services to the public including free computer and internet access, homebound services, and many special programs, among other things. “Service to the community has always been the focus of the library,” said Jeff Yahraus, WCPL Director. “While this aspect has never changed, libraries have grown and evolved in how they provide for the needs of every member of their community.”
To celebrate National Library Week, all locations of WCPL will have an amnesty period from April 7 through April 13 when fines will be forgiven on overdue materials.
This year, the library will also have two special giveaways. The Main Library Children's Dept. and each branch will have an educational gift basket that children, age newborn through 5 years old, can enter to win. System wide, WCPL will be giving away a $500 gift card! You must be age six and older to enter to win. Patrons will receive a ticket/chance to enter into the contest for each book checked out. For those who are new to the library, when you sign up for a library card you will automatically receive 10 tickets/chances to win the contest! The contest will run through National Library Week, with winners being chosen the following week.
Special programs and fun activities will also take place at each WCPL location.
The Bryan Main Library Children’s Dept. will have Baby Lap Sit on Monday, April 8 at 6:00 pm. On Tuesday, April 9 story time will be held at 11:00 am, and 6:30 pm. Let’s Move will take place on Wednesday, April 10 at 11:00 am. On Thursday, April 11 Lego Club will start at 4:00 pm. There will be a Make-It Take-It Craft on Saturday, April 13 at 9:30 am.
The Main Library Adult Dept. will hold Chess Club on Tuesday, April 9 at 5:30 pm, Coffee & Crafts on Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00 am, Teen Thursday on Thursday, April 11 at 4:00 pm, and there will then be a Fiber Art meeting at 5:30 pm that same evening. The Adult Dept. will finish programming for the week with Mahjong Club on Friday, April 12 at 10:00 am.
The Local History Center will have Minecraft Club in the upstairs Computer Lab for students in Jr. High and High School on Tuesday, April 9 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Minecraft Club for 3rd-6th Graders will take place on Thursday, April 11, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm as well. The adult book club, “Murder by the Book” will meet that same night at 6:30 pm to discuss, “The Plot is Murder” by VM Burns. On Saturday, April 13 the LHC will host a “Titanic Tea” from 10:30 to 11:30 am in the Main Library Carnegie Room. You must preregister to attend.
Edgerton Branch Library will have several fun programs throughout the week. On Monday, April 8 adults can make a set of “Chunky Bunnies” at 5:30 pm. Preregistration is required. Toddler Time Story Time will run from 11:00 to 11:30 am on Wednesday, April 10, and an Essential Oils Class for adults will be held later that day at 1:00 pm. Lego Club for 2nd-3rd graders will also be on Wednesday at 3:15 pm. The library will end the week with a Spring/Easter Animal Workshop on Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 am, for kids who are 5 years old through 2nd grade. You must preregister.
Edon Branch Library will have several contests and fun activities all week long. You can guess how many books are in the library (closest guess wins a prize), find the hidden library gnome, join the book face gallery, and go on a scavenger hunt! There will also be “Explore Art”, which will have fun projects for all ages, and a daily “Book Tasting”. Each day of National Library week will have a theme that includes fun activities. All day on Monday, April 8 will be “Fun with Science”, where you can create kinetic sand, bath balms, and slime! Tuesday, April 9 will feature a STEM Discovery Room. Come play the Life Size Hungry Hungry Hippo Game on Wednesday, April 10. Watch “Mary Poppins Returns” (rated PG) on Thursday, April 11. On Friday, April 12 take part in Minute to Win It Challenges. The library will end the week with Giant Game Day on Saturday, April 13. Play life size Plinko, Connect 4, Checkers, and more! The library will also have regular programming, and will offer special programs such as the “Letter L” book craft program with Paulette Polley on Monday April 8th at 5:30 pm. You must preregister. A Teen Movie will be shown on Thursday, April 11 at 4:00 pm. A Basket Weaving Class will take place on Saturday, April 13 at 9:00 am. You must preregister.
The Pioneer Branch Library will have programs running throughout National Library Week. Tuesday Twisters on be held on Tuesday, April 9 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm for children ages 6 through 15. There will be an Easter No-Bake Cooking Demo for adults at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, April 12. Enjoy delicious samples, and learn easy recipes for upcoming Easter celebrations! You must preregister. PS3 and Wii Gaming will be on Friday, April 12 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. School age kids and teens are welcome to attend. On Saturday, April 13 at 10:00 am story time and “Painting with Karo” will be held.
Stryker Branch Library will have an “Elephant & Piggie” theme for National Library Week. There will also be guessing jars and giveaways, along with a Coloring Contest running throughout the week. Look for Elephant & Piggie who are hiding in the library! They will have a new hiding spot every day. There will be fun activities/programs daily, starting on Monday, April 8. Learn about the environment and Arbor Day at 3:15 pm. Attend the Elephant & Piggie Party at 3:15 pm on Tuesday, April 9. Read Elephant & Piggie books during Read-2-Me on Wednesday, April 10 at 3:15 pm. Kids in PreK-4th grade can meet REAL PIGGIES on Thursday, April 11 at 3:15 pm. Turn in your page for the Coloring Contest on Friday, April 12 by 5:00 pm.
There will be plenty of fun at West Unity Branch Library for National Library Week. There will be book giveaways, a kids guessing jar, a treasure box for kids and adults, and the library will be giving away an adult bag of books and goodies! Take part in a scavenger hunt, and library staff trivia throughout the week. There will also be special celebrations in afterschool programs that take place at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, April 9 for Kindergarten-2nd Grade, and on Thursday, April 11 for 3rd grade. The library will also show a special Afterschool Movie on Wednesday, April 10 at 3:00 pm.
For more information on National Library Week please call 419-636-6734 ext. 274, or visit mywcpl.org.