"Discover the World” and Celebrate National Library Week,
April 13-19

By Rebecca Steffen, Circulation Librarian

Every day, libraries in big cities and small towns, at colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help bring the world to their communities. At the Rapid City Public Library, people of all backgrounds and interests can come together for community meetings, informational and entertaining programs, to do research, to get a job, or to find homework help. The library also provides a virtual gathering space of resources and information, with online homework help, “Ask a Librarian” online, audiobook downloads, and a 1972 flood website, to name just a few.

We invite the community to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of National Library Week from April 13-19. National Library Week is a time to come together and celebrate what libraries have to offer to individuals and to the community at large. This is the perfect time to “Discover the World,” and also to discover what Rapid City Public Library has to offer.

Bring your family and your camera for Family Story Time, hosted by the Rapid City Fire Department, on Wednesday April 9 at Rapid City Public Library Downtown, and Tuesday April 15 at Rapid City Public Library North; both events will be held at 6 PM. The Fire Department will also join us at RCPL Downtown for Books Buddies Story Time on Tuesday April 15 at 9:30 AM, and Baby Bookworms Story Time on Thursday April 17 at 9:30 and 10:00 AM. Firemen will read a story, and a fire truck will visit the library at these story times.

Are you Firewise? Join us for the monthly Lunch and Learn program on Wednesday April 16 from noon-1 PM, and discover how to protect your community and property from the risk of wildland fires. Rob Lehman from the Wildland Fire Suppression Division of the State Department of Agriculture will present the Firewise program on how you can fireproof and protect your property. Also presenting will be the Rapid City Fire Department, and Scott Rausch, whose house was saved from the 2006 Eastridge wildfire. Lunch is provided by the Friends of the Library; please reserve your lunch by Monday April 14 by calling 394-6139 ext. 501.

Serving up a cup of creativity on Friday April 18 at 7 PM is the Spring Poet’s Coffeehouse presented by the High Plains Writers and Rapid City Public Library. Poets of all ages are invited to share their work and enter their poetry to win $100 in cash and prizes. The winning poem will be read in the High Plains Writers 7 th Annual Poetry Contest. In order to be considered for the contest, poems must be submitted by 4 PM on Monday April 14. If you do not want to participate in the contest, but would like to read your poem at the Coffeehouse, please submit your work to the library by 6 PM on Friday April 18. Entries must be under 35 lines, and are limited to one poem per poet.

Discover the Presidents and take a family adventure on Friday April 18, as we throw our first ever Presidential Party! Pick up a booklet at the library, take a walk down St. Joseph and Main St, and use the clues to discover the identity of the great leaders of this country. From 3 – 4:30 PM, Dallerie Davis, co-founder and Vice President of the City of Presidents, will present a history of the sculpture walk. A representative from the American Legion will give out small flags, explain flag etiquette, and demonstrate how to properly fold a flag. Bring your completed booklet to the downtown library during that program to receive a prize.

Pack your bags for Saturday‘s Discover the World Travel Program, April 18 from 1-3 PM. Join us in discovering distant and not so distant lands, and how to stretch your travel dollar. Roam’n Around's Bridget Machacek will help prepare you for your travel adventures. She will also provide information on TSA requirements, power converters and adapters so that your electrical devises work properly on your adventure, as well as packing hints so you can discover the world without dragging around tons of luggage!

What can you discover in the world? National Library Week is the perfect time to find out. For more information, visit either the Rapid City Public Library North or the Rapid City Public Library Downtown, call 716-4098 or 394-6139, or explore the library online at www.rapidcitylibrary.org.