City Celebrates Library Day

Now celebrating its 50^th year, National Library Week recognizes the efforts libraries and librarians make toward the betterment of the communities they serve. Several of the Library’s Branches are hosting special programming this week, designed to educate patrons about the Library’s resources and encourage them to “Join the Circle of Knowledge.”

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.

CITY CELEBRATES ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY DAY

ST. LOUIS, MO . . . A press conference and proclamation from Mayor Francis G. Slay today, declaring it St. Louis Public Library Day at Central Library, kicked off National Library Week (April 13-19) in the City of St. Louis. The event was held at Central Library, 1301 Olive Street, at 11a.m.

Slay’s proclamation declared April 15, 2008 to be St. Louis Public Library Day and recognized the institution for its contributions to the community. The press conference also included the presentation of banners displaying the Library’s new signature imagery, designed by Los Angeles artist Noah Woods. The banners now hang on both the front and back of the Central Library’s exterior, facing Olive and Locust streets.

“We are constantly working to ensure that our Libraries across the city offer engaging programs, up-to-date technology, and attractive meeting spaces to our patrons,” said Waller McGuire, executive director, St. Louis Public Library. “It is such an honor to have the mayor acknowledge these efforts with a city-wide declaration.”

The St. Louis Public Library was recently ranked the #2 urban library in the U.S. and, with 17 locations across the city, sees more than 2.3 million visitors each year. The same survey ranked St. Louis the nation’s sixth most literate city.

The Library’s Branches regularly host bestselling national authors and popular musical entertainment. Partnering with organizations across the city, the Library also works to develop beneficial relationships within the community. The St. Louis Public Library and the St. Louis Public Library Foundation are now preparing to undertake its pivotal project, a capital campaign to support the complete restoration and modernization of the downtown Central Library.

4/18/2008