Celebrate National Library Week

April 8-14 is National Library Week, and we’ve got lots going on to help you celebrate.

Fairfax Library is offering “Pajama-Rama,” a family bedtime stories program, on Tuesday April 10 at 7 p.m., presented by me, myself.  As a former Children’s Librarian, this is a real treat for me, and I’m looking forward to reading aloud, singing songs, and wearing my robe and purple slippers with moons and stars.  Everybody’s invited to wear pajamas and bring a teddy bear (or your favorite stuffed animal) for a cozy evening at the library.

In addition we’ll be having our regular storytime programs on Thursday, April 12 at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m., and “Mother Goose on the Loose” for babies and toddlers Thursday, April 12 at 11 a.m.

Our Friends of the Library book discussion group meets this Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m., and here’s your chance to discuss the One Book/One Marin 2012 selection, “The Oracle of Stamboul” by Michael David Lukas.

There are wonderful library programs being held all over the county next week, from Manga drawing and Peeps diorama craft programs to computer classes in Spanish.  For a complete list, visit the library's website.

National Library Week also provides the opportunity for kids to win free Fair tickets.  Posted in our children’s room is a very cool replica of a “Marvelous Marin” map alongside posters for the Marin County Fair.  Miss Kitty (of library blogging fame) has created a wonderful “I Spy” game using the map.  Children who can spot all 15 quiz clues will win a free ticket to the Fair.  Even better, if parent and child read together in the library for 20 minutes, you win a 2nd free child’s admission pass.

I love my job.  I believe that working in a library has got to be one of the best jobs on earth.  I’m surrounded daily by the words of brilliant minds, and by people who appreciate the services libraries provide.  The work I do contributes to an institution that provides freedom of information, promotes life-long learning, and creates a center for community-building. 

During National Library Week, we’d like to hear from you: why do you come to the library?  Why is the library important to you?  We’ll have places for you to write down your thoughts next week, so be sure to pay us a visit.  And while we love to see your faces, when you can’t come in person, you can visit our Facebook page and inscribe your thoughts there. 

But don’t let the fact that you’re still in your pajamas keep you away.