National Library Week

Been to the library lately? This would be a good time to visit -- and celebrate National Library Week.Some library systems have events planned for the occasion, and Baltimore County's 15 branches will offer free refreshments to patrons from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow.The county library system and schools also are expected to announce a major campaign to encourage children to get library cards, and the library will unveil a CD-ROM it developed to teach children about public libraries. The CD-ROM will be distributed this week to all Maryland libraries and elementary schools.

I enjoyed reading Shireen Younus' op-ed about rediscovering her public library ("A few words in support of libraries," April 17). Like Ms. Younus, many people have rediscovered their public library over the past few years. In the 2012 fiscal year, the Baltimore County Public Library recorded nearly 5 million in-person visits, circulated nearly 10.6 million items, set a record of over 48,400 participants in our Summer Reading Club, and added nearly 20,000 new cardholders. In the past two years, we also opened two new branches, our Sollers Point Branch and our Owings Mills Branch.

Guess how I came to know that April 14-20 marks the 55th National Library Week? Before I give away the answer, you might appreciate that this observance started in the 1950s to combat Americans' growing preference for radios and televisions over books. Over half a century later, libraries are now being threatened by our growing preference for Internet and social media. I had no idea about libraries when I first stepped into one, at the ripe age of 1. My mother tells me that I was excited for story time (though not yet foreseeing my addiction for the books that would come to define my childhood)

Guess how I came to know that April 14-20 marks the 55th National Library Week? Before I give away the answer, you might appreciate that this observance started in the 1950s to combat Americans' growing preference for radios and televisions over books. Over half a century later, libraries are now being threatened by our growing preference for Internet and social media. I had no idea about libraries when I first stepped into one, at the ripe age of 1. My mother tells me that I was excited for story time (though not yet foreseeing my addiction for the books that would come to define my childhood)

Two men robbed a Super Fresh in the 300 block of Hospital Drive on Saturday afternoon, county police said.The men came into the store around 1:40 p.m., police said. One was armed with a black-and-silver revolver. The other forced his way into the store's office. The men ordered the clerk to open the safe, then took an undisclosed amount of cash. They fled in a small silver compact car, police said.Authors to help mark National Library WeekLocal authors will be touring area libraries this month in recognition of National Library Week, Sunday through April 23.Romance writer Rhonda Harding Pollero, whose pen name is Kelsey Roberts, is coming to the North County branch at 7 p.m. April 21.Ms.

LIBRARIES and media centers are gearing up to celebrate National Library Week Monday through Friday.Today's media centers are exciting places filled with much more than books. To keep pace with changing technology, public school students in all grades have access to video, audio, recording and computer equipment through their schools' media centers. Computers have replaced the once-standard card catalogs, and books are checked out electronically.In response to student demand, Blair Reid, media specialist at Mount Airy Middle School, has planned a Spring Book Fair to coincide with National Library Week.

As part of their National Library Week celebrations through Saturday, local library systems are offering various programs and activities aimed at young readers - and pre-readers. The annual event, developed by the American Library Association in 1958, is designed to raise awareness of and interest in libraries. This year's theme, "@ The Library," is the beginning of a national five-year campaign to highlight the library's place in the community. J. Maurice Travillian, assistant state superintendent for libraries, said 60 percent of Maryland residents are registered library users, and 65 percent used a library last year.

I enjoyed reading Shireen Younus' op-ed about rediscovering her public library ("A few words in support of libraries," April 17). Like Ms. Younus, many people have rediscovered their public library over the past few years. In the 2012 fiscal year, the Baltimore County Public Library recorded nearly 5 million in-person visits, circulated nearly 10.6 million items, set a record of over 48,400 participants in our Summer Reading Club, and added nearly 20,000 new cardholders. In the past two years, we also opened two new branches, our Sollers Point Branch and our Owings Mills Branch.

FIFTY-SIX young Ellicott City and Elkridge cheerleaders made their Camden Yards debut last week, when they participated in Opening Day festivities.The girls stood beside the long, red carpet and cheered each Baltimore Oriole as he was introduced."

Colorful paper reading chains will decorate the Linthicum branch of the county library as part of "Link Up For Library Week."Each time a child reads a book between now and April 11, the child should write his or her name and phone number, the title and author on a strip of paper. Children can color strips with a scene or character from the book. Strips are available at all library branches, or they can be made at home.Children should bring finished strips to the library before April11 and drop them in the Library Week Box. During National Library Week, April 5-11, the strips will be turned into chains, signifying theimportant link between children and books.

Journey Stories officially kicked off April 11 with the opening reception for "Cars: A Harford County Love Affair," the first of six exhibitions that will accompany the Smithsonian's Journey Stories Exhibition coming May 19 to the Abingdon branch of the Harford County Public Library. The Cars juried photography exhibition opened at the Jarrettsville library with 30 photographs illustrating Harford County's love of the car. Local professional and amateur fine art photographers submitted more than 90 pictures for consideration and 30 photographs by 18 artists were selected to be included in the exhibition.

Body found in harbor 2 A man on a docked boat discovered the body of a man floating under a pier in the 700 block of Eastern Ave. at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Baltimore police. The medical examiner will perform an autopsy, but there were no signs of trauma, said Agent Donny Moses, a Baltimore police spokesman. Four other bodies have surfaced in the city's waterways this year. As of April 1, none of those deaths had been declared homicides. Liz F. Kay Woman burned in fire at Baltimore nail salon 3 A woman who was getting her acrylic nail tips removed at a Baltimore salon was seriously burned Saturday when a machine caught fire, city fire officials said.

Autumn Griffiths and Amber O'Connor stared transfixed at the video camera and delivered a barely audible cheer. Throughout two practice runs, Hilltop Elementary School's media specialist tugged on her earlobe, signaling that she needed the two third-graders to speak louder. Finally, Jane Anders reassured them that no one would know if they made a mistake. Then she peered into the camera's viewfinder. "You look absolutely dynamite," Anders said. Though still nervous, the girls recited "Go read!

National Library Week to be observed The Harford Community College Library is observing National Library Week this week with events and activities that are open to the public. The library will offer amnesty on fines for all HCC library cardholders this week. All fees will be waived for overdue materials returned in good condition. A used-book sale will be held at the library from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. "Meet the Authors" panels and receptions will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the library.

This is National Library Week, and Baltimore's chief librarian is celebrating with a trip to Chicago for a meeting of the American Library Association, a group she will soon lead as president. The new job will give Carla D. Hayden, director of the city's Enoch Pratt Free Library, a chance to bring her vision of libraries to a national stage. Hayden, who earned a doctorate from the University of Chicago, was elected president of the ALA last year and in June will be inaugurated for a one-year term - the first time since 1965 that a Baltimore librarian has held the national leadership post.

As part of their National Library Week celebrations through Saturday, local library systems are offering various programs and activities aimed at young readers - and pre-readers. The annual event, developed by the American Library Association in 1958, is designed to raise awareness of and interest in libraries. This year's theme, "@ The Library," is the beginning of a national five-year campaign to highlight the library's place in the community. J. Maurice Travillian, assistant state superintendent for libraries, said 60 percent of Maryland residents are registered library users, and 65 percent used a library last year.

The Odenton Heritage Society will hold a flea market and auction April 24 at the Odenton Fire Hall on Route 175. The flea market will be held from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. and the auction from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.Items in good condition will be accepted. Drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday through April 17, at storage space A28 at the Vault on Route 175 in Odenton. Heavy items can be picked up at your home by calling 672-0179.Receipts for tax deductions are available upon request. Items worth more than $20 will be accepted on consignment for the auction.

National Library Week to be observed The Harford Community College Library is observing National Library Week this week with events and activities that are open to the public. The library will offer amnesty on fines for all HCC library cardholders this week. All fees will be waived for overdue materials returned in good condition. A used-book sale will be held at the library from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. "Meet the Authors" panels and receptions will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the library.

I'm convinced children's lives begin best if the first book that delights them becomes a collection, which then goes on building for a lifetime. It's never too early to celebrate access to the most nourishing and civilizing instrument ever devised: The book.Thus it's no surprise that I believe in libraries - both private and public. Today begins America's 41st National Library Week. I have always felt that mothers are condescended to by Mother's Day, notoriously an invention of the retail posy industry.

Been to the library lately? This would be a good time to visit -- and celebrate National Library Week.Some library systems have events planned for the occasion, and Baltimore County's 15 branches will offer free refreshments to patrons from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow.The county library system and schools also are expected to announce a major campaign to encourage children to get library cards, and the library will unveil a CD-ROM it developed to teach children about public libraries. The CD-ROM will be distributed this week to all Maryland libraries and elementary schools.