Last updated on April 26, 2016
By: Jessica Peña
The Thigpen Library at Volunteer State Community College will be recognizing National Library Week April 10 – 16.
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.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Libraries Transform.”
“During this week, we encourage students to think about how the library has helped them succeed in their academic endeavors and what we can do to make their experience even better.
“We have an amazing group of people who work at Thigpen Library,” said Laura Sheets, Library Instruction Coordinator.
Sheets hopes students will take this opportunity to say thank you to a librarian or library staff member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help them.
“When I went to graduate school to get my Master’s in Library and Information Science, most people reacted in one of two ways: ‘I didn’t know you needed a master’s degree to be a librarian!’ or ‘What do you study: the Dewey Decimal System?’
“What we as librarians and library staff members do goes way beyond checking out books,” said Sheets.
Last year was the first year Vol State organized campus-wide activities for National Library Week.
“It’s great that they are recognizing the library staff, because I honestly wouldn’t be able to survive without the library and its resources.
“I spend more time there than I should admit, so I have to give credit to the librarians on duty,” said Michael Burnard, a student at Vol State.
This year, National Library Week on campus will include an open mic event April 11, in the Rochelle Center from 1 – 2 p.m.
On April 14, there will be a game day in the Rochelle Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., with ping pong, board games, card games, and more.
The Office of Student Life & Diversity Initiatives will be providing refreshments during the open mic and game day.
All week long, the Thigpen Library will be doing a “Secret Cinema” where students can check out DVDs that have been wrapped to conceal their title.
According to the American Library Association’s webpage, April 12 is National Library Workers Day.
Sheets said she hopes that students will realize how impactful a library and its workers can be to the community.
“To me, National Library Week helps students and the community understand the importance of libraries in our society and remind them that we are more than just books, although we do love books,” added Sheets.
Sheets said she looks forward to giving students the same opportunities this year.
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