FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2008

CONTACT: Diane Nevill, (623) 930-3554, Public Information Officer

GLENDALE, Ariz. – “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library” is the theme of this year’s National Library Week, which is being observed from April 13-19. This is the time of year that the public can celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide – and the perfect time to discover how one can join the circle of knowledge @ their library.

Glendale Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with a multitude of programs for all ages and interests. A few of the events are described below:

Adults can enjoy a visit with this year’s OneBookAZ author Nancy Turner, who wrote “These Is My Words,” at the Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., at 2 p.m. on Apr. 16, or later that day at 7 p.m. at Foothills Branch, 19055 N. 57th Ave. To continue taking part in OneBookAZ activities, join the Afternoon Readers Group at the Main Library at 2 p.m. on Apr. 17 when a scholar shares diaries of 19th women who settled the west. Learn healthy ways to lose weight and keep it off at 7 p.m. on Apr. 15 at Foothills Branch. Go green by making Earth Day Fused Bookmarks at 2 p.m. on Apr. 19 at Velma Teague Branch, 7010 N. 58th Ave. Apr. 17 is also the date for famed guitarist Brad Richter’s appearance in the Main Library’s Live at the Library series and a seminar on tourist impressions of the Grand Canyon at Foothills Library; both programs begin at 7 p.m.

Teens love “Game On! Afterschool Video Gaming,” being offered twice that week – from 3:30-5 p.m. on Apr. 14 at Foothills Branch and at the same time on Apr. 16 at Main Library. Learn about Gaia Online at 6:30 on Apr. 16 at the Main Library. At Foothill Branch, the “Dungeons & Dragons” game “rules” on Sundays from 1-4:30 p.m., including Apr. 13. Velma Teague Branch is holding its Teen Library Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Apr. 17.

Children can attend a variety of storytimes, which accommodate all ages, from birth to age 6, on Tuesdays-Saturdays, at the three libraries. Learn about “Fantastic Fossils” at 4 p.m. on Apr. 15 at Foothills Branch, plus the “Family Kite Design and Building” workshop the following day at 7 p.m. at the north Glendale Library. Velma Teague Branch is holding two 10 a.m. puppet shows, on Apr. 15 and 16. Friday aerobic/dance programs are held for toddlers at both Main and Foothills libraries at 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Apr. 18.

Besides offering an average of 245 programs each month, the library offers free Internet access, DVDs, music CDs, books on audiocassette and CD, large type books, downloadable books, music and movies, magazines, newspapers, interlibrary loan, and free meeting room use for non-profit and community groups. All facilities are equipped with Wi-Fi.

Electronic databases, with full-text newspaper, magazine and journal articles, are searchable from inside or outside of the library. Library card holders can also tackle test preparation, learn a language, pursue health and science topics, work on family genealogy, search for grant funding opportunities and other types of information with the databases that are mostly available from either inside or outside of the library. Do-it-yourself car repair mechanics must come inside the library to use the online Mitchell auto repair database. The library catalog and some of the databases are available in Spanish.

Anytime is a good time to visit the library. Stop at your closest Glendale library and check us out! While you are at Main Library, enjoy some refreshment from our coffee bar, Perfetto de café.

Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., and Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.    

Velma Teague Branch Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.