This week, the Lincoln County Public Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating the dynamic changes that are happening in today’s libraries. April 10-16 is National Library Week, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and workers.

Libraries today are more about what they do, for and with library users as opposed to what they have for patrons. Libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study but also creative and engaging community centers where people can collaborate using new technologies or just relax. Lincoln County’s library offers access to a variety of print and digital resources, including access to Learning Express Library, Magnolia databases and talking books for visually impaired patrons, just to name a few. It also offers an extensive amount of genealogical resources which includes newspapers on microfilm, cemetery records, many indexes and genealogical websites like Ancestry.com made available on our public computers.

Libraries of all types are evolving to meet the needs of the communities they serve. At the Lincoln County Public Library they are transforming by providing summer reading programs for children and teens, introducing a newly renovated Teen Wing for our young adult community and offering eBooks through the Axis 360 Service.

“Service to the community has always been the focus of the library,” said Kasie Beth Eckman, Lincoln County Youth Services Librarian. “Libraries level the playing field for people of any age who are seeking the information and access to technologies that will improve their quality of life.”

Libraries are many things to many people. They work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover and address the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, helping job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, libraries and librarians listen to the community we serve, and they respond.

Many celebrations will be held during National Library Week at the Lincoln County Library

To celebrate the theme, “Libraries Transform,” patrons will play a part in building a super library structure with Legos. Upon checkout, patrons will receive 3 Legos that they can add to the “Library Lego Tower!”

“It will be exciting to see what we can create together,” Eckman said.

When you sign up for a free library card,  your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize (must be age 6 or older and have a picture ID).

Already have a library card? Don’t worry! There’s a chance for a prize for you, too. By simply visiting the library, patrons can enter their name into a drawing for an Amazon Kindle Fire provided by the Friends of the Library. There are two up for grabs (Limit to one chance per visit)

The Friends of the Library will hold a book sale. Fill one of the Friends’ grocery bags with books and pay only $5.

A reception sponsored by the Friends of the Library will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., and  the entire Lincoln County community is invited

And throughout the remainder of the month, the library will be offering amnesty allowance. Return lost materials that are in usable condition or pay for the overdue material’s replacement cost. All other fees associated with the overdue item will be waived (approximately $10 off per overdue item). Cash or check payments only — credit/debit card payments cannot be accepted.

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.

For more information, visit the Lincoln County Public Library at 100 S. Jackson Street, call 601-833.3369, or vist the library’s Web site at www.llf.lib.ms.us. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/llflibrary/.