Iditarod Sled Dog Race musher Karen Land will be the guest speaker at the National Library Celebration on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in North Webster Public Library. She will share her experiences running the grueling 1,150-mile Alaskan Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Her sled dog, Borage, will also make a special appearance. (Photo provided)

The North Webster Public Library is going to the dogs when Iditarod Sled Dog Race musher Karen Land and her sled dog, Borage, make a special appearance at the big National Library Week Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18.

A native Hoosier from Indianapolis, Karen is a three-time veteran of the Iditarod, a grueling 1,150-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The public is invited to come and hear Karen share her daring experiences and meet her brave dog Borage.

Although Karen and Borage will headline the event, other stars will shine that evening, too. The winners of the NWPL’s Four Months of Fun contests will be announced and awarded their prizes. If you participated in any of the winter contests, be sure to attend because you must be present to claim your prize.

The evening will also include door prizes and delicious desserts by The Cake Lady. The public is invited to this free gala, which will be held in the North Webster Community Center Banquet Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. The NWPL will be closing early at 6 p.m. that evening, so the entire NWPL staff can join in the festivities.

The celebration event is the culmination of a week full of special activities as we join with other libraries across the nation April 15-20 in commemorating the unique role libraries play in our communities.

Monday is our Cookie Kick-Off with free cookies while they last and “Wear Animal Print” day to show you’re wild about our library. On Tuesday, library staff will be showing their colors by wearing blue shirts, offering Grab Bag books to check out, and giving out free balloons.

Wednesday is Friends of the Library Day – our BFF’s (best friends forever!).  Friday is Hat Day, and free popcorn will be available all day on Saturday.
In fact, Monday will be a busy day at the NWPL.

In addition to kicking off National Library Week, the NWPL is co-sponsoring, along with the North Webster Community Center, an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take a few minutes to donate blood and save a life.

Writer’s Corner meets at 10 a.m. to share their “It’s 1913” writing assignment, and R.E.A.D. Book Club will be discussing Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt at 5:30 p.m. In the Youth Services Department, young children and their parents will gather for beginINbooks at 5:30 p.m.

Later in the week, at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, the teens will get together to play “Jeopardy.” It will be a fun time showing off what they know and competing for prizes.

Win a DVD player. You have until April 17 to check out at least five DVD’s and get entered in the DVD Dash drawing to win a free DVD player. The Author Match Contest also ends April 17. If you haven’t yet tried your hand in matching authors’ photos with their names, stop by the front desk and pick up a contest sheet.

Stop by the library April 15-20 and party with the NWPL all week long.