Library Appreciation Month and National Library Week

Release: Library Appreciation Month and National Library Week

Media Contact: Heather O'Connell

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 7, 2008 – April is Library Appreciation Month and National Library Week is April 13-19

Governor Charlie Crist has signed a proclamation to honor Florida libraries during April. Crist praised the library’s role in supporting the community and individuals with free programs, resources and access to information on everything from health to economics and the environment.

Crist noted that libraries “support a competitive workforce with basic literary programs, computers and other resources, helping people to find and use information they need for their jobs, health and recreation.”

The proclamation comes as libraries prepare to celebrate National Library Week, April 13-19, a time when non-library users are encouraged to discover how much today’s libraries offer. This year’s honorary chair for the national promotion is author and award-winning actress Julie Andrews, who appears in a series of public service announcements encouraging non-library users to ‘Discover the World at your library’”.

At Lee County Library System, Community Relations Coordinator Heather O’Connell says there’s a lot to discover.

“Many people are surprised that libraries provide much more than Internet Access and the latest bestsellers”, O’Connell said.

Reference librarians provide recommendations of the most authoritative, accurate and up to date information available online, in print or through subscription services such as Morningstar, Thompson Gale Legal Forms and Health and Wellness Resource Center. There’s even a resource outlining $7.6 billion dollars in college scholarship and grant opportunities.

And O’Connell says you don’t even have to leave your home or office for individual assistance in finding and learning to use the resources you need.

“Just go to our website with your library card and click ‘Ask-Librarian’ for live chat. Our ‘cybrarians’ will provide step-by-step instructions and recommendations,” O’Connell said.

“We can recommend additional online titles that you can download immediately, or traditional items that you can reserve online. An e-mail or phone call lets you know when items have been delivered to the library location of your choice,” O’Connell added. Reference help and item reservations are also available by phone at 479-INFO (4636).

“Google’s great, but if you don’t want to wade through incorrect or incomplete information, try the free resources your library offers. The resources even explain how to cite the information,” O’Connell said.

There’s just one catch: you need to have a Lee County Library System library card.

Library cards are free to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Lee County. Cards are required for Internet Access use at the library or to check out any of over a million items such as computer software, DVDs and CDs. Cards are not required for in-library use of materials or to participate in free events from gardening or genealogy workshops to computer classes and seminars.

So if you haven’t been to a library for a while, or haven’t ventured beyond the “new books” section, take another look this month. Strike up a conversation with your librarian, and prepare to be surprised with everything that’s available.

View Governor Crist’s proclamation and Julie Andrews’ Public Service Announcements on the Lee County Library System’s website at www.lee-county.com/library. Click the National Library Week “Discover Your World at the Library” icon.

Find a library near you or explore the library’s resources, collection and programs; call (239) 479-INFO (4636) or visit www.lee-county.com/library .

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