Katie Warrener, Anna Jackson and Leslie Jeffreys showcase National Library Week Passports. Visit makerspaces throughout the library during April 10-15, and complete a passport for a chance to win a Kindle Fire.

By Ann M. Zydek
Warsaw Community Public Library Director

The Warsaw Community Public Library is celebrating “100 Years of Service” at the corner of Center and Detroit Streets. In April, 1917, the library opened its doors with 5,000 books and 1,936 patrons.

Everyone is invited to the library’s 100th Birthday Party from 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at 310 E. Main St. Birthday cake, historic displays including photographs and artifacts, and short tours of the library will be available. Meet people passionate about lifelong learning–library trustees, library staff, Friends of the Library, volunteers and patrons.

The 100th Birthday Party is part of the library’s National Library Week activities. Also explore the Friends Book Sale from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 7 and 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8. Get a National Library Week “Passport” and collect three different stars at library makerspaces April 10-15, for a chance to win a Kindle Fire.

In the library’s lower level see the “Information Station” with its library brochures, information, magnets and bookmarks and circulation’s bulletin board activity, “Where’s Mr. Pig Hunt.” View the historic library images at the “Take a Walk on Memory Lane” station. Visit the “Share a Library Memory” makerspace and write down your favorite memory of the library.

Upstairs in Information Services enjoy the “Selfie,” “Butterfly Craft,” and “Create a Battery” makerspaces. Try the “Coloring” stations in Information and Children’s Services and other makerspaces in Children’s Services: “Design a Library,” “Stack the Cat’s Hat,” and “Giant Word Puzzle.” Enjoy free popcorn between 2-4 p.m. during National Library Week. Johnny, the Fort Wayne TinCaps mascot, will visit 4-5 p.m. Thursday, April 13.

This year’s National Library Week theme is, “Libraries Transform.” American Library Association President Julie Todaro is encouraging libraries to shine a light on the daily transformative work library “experts” do. She said, “I would hope that people see and identify what is transformative about not only the location or the destination but the person who connects you to resources.” I encourage you to come meet your library “experts.”

See how your library is a smart investment. Currently 20,000 library members visit the 41,000 square feet facility and/or virtually access 219,532 physical and digital collection items valued at over $4.4 million. Discover how your library is transforming to meet your needs and interests and striving to transform lives and the communities we live in.