PROCLAIM APRIL 12 - 18, 2015 AS NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK
Staff Contact: Michael Beck, Chief Librarian, City of Glendale
Accepted By: Ms. Karen Aborne, Chair, Library Advisory Board
Accepted By: Michael Beck, Chief Librarian, City of Glendale
Purpose and Policy Guidance
Recommendation [enter the recommendation here]
This is a request for City Council to proclaim April 12 through April 18 as National Library Week in the City of Glendale and present the proclamation to the Library Advisory Board Chair, Karen Aborne, and Michael Beck, Chief Librarian, at the City of Glendale.
Background
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. This year's theme is "Unlimited possibilities @ your library". Tuesday April 14, 2015 is being celebrated as National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.
Analysis
Libraries today are more than repositories for books and other resources. Often the hearts of their communities, public libraries are deeply committed to the places where their patrons live, work and study. Libraries are trusted places where everyone in the community can gather to reconnect and reengage with each other to enrich and shape the community and address local issues.
Community Benefit/Public Involvement
The Glendale Public Library system consists of three libraries that provide reading and information services, youth, teen and adult programming, job training, meeting room space, public computers, books, audio-visual materials and electronic resources that inform, educate and entertain many diverse residents. This past year, the library system circulated approximately 1.75 million items and had over 674,000 visitors. Our libraries are open system-wide 111 hours per week and provide access to electronic databases, downloadable video, music and eBooks through our website twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Last year, Glendale's libraries sponsored 630 youth programs with 24,254 participants; 91 teen programs with 1,444 participants; and 351 adult programs with 7,142 participants.
Service to the community has always been the focus of the library. While this aspect has never changed, libraries have grown and evolved in how they provide for the needs of every member of the community.