LIVERPOOL — Celebrate National Library Week 2021 with the folks from your Liverpool Public Library.
The American Library Association decided in 1958 that it would be a good idea for all types of libraries across the country — public, school, academic and special — to join together the first week in April to spread the word about the good things they accomplish, individually and collectively.
This year’s theme is “Welcome to Your Library.”
It’s a unique year indeed as we recognize how citizens everywhere have fought this year-long battle against COVID-19.
The relationship with libraries changed when the world closed its doors in March 2020. But cherished resources were still always there online, at LPL.org here in Liverpool, where patrons, families and everybody who needed us could click on the website to find digital collections, databases and an entranceway into other significant sites we sought out, congregated and earmarked as educational and, yes, fun for those spending so much time on their screens at home.
Our librarians quickly pivoted, and events that patrons were accustomed to attending with other folks in library rooms, on the lawn or at the establishments of our community partners became available online. Facebook Live was first with Story Time sessions, and then we joined the Zoom crowd for many different events for all ages. Our YouTube channel was added to the mix, with monthly Board of Trustees meetings available as well as Story Time sessions posted after their live events and instructional programming.
Zoom will be used for a handful of National Library Week programs, including the monthly Let’s Get Trivial session at 7 p.m. Monday, April 5; Living Library with real people holding sessions as “books” to talk about their diverse lives at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 6; and Elephant and Piggie Party for the young ones who love those characters at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8. Register for the events from our calendar page at lpl.org/events/programs-and-events/events-calendar/.
And, because Wednesday is Bookmobile Outreach Day and we’re feeling comfortable that everybody will wear their masks and follow safe social distancing, our LPL 2 Go van and Book Cart will pop up at various locations around Liverpool from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 7. We’ll bring books for check out, and you can sign up for a library card if you don’t have one. The first stop will be next to the Wegmans Playground at Onondaga Lake Park from 9 to 11 a.m. An afternoon stop is scheduled for Clay Park Central from 2 to 4 p.m. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to discover other locations.
