National Library Week and more

This week is National Library Week sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). The first observance was held in 1958 to celebrate and recognize libraries across the country. It is also held to "promote library use and support". I find this very interesting in light of the fact that in Connecticut Governor Malloy has presented a budget which effectively cuts the budget for libraries in the state which would eliminate several programs including Connecticard. Connecticard is a program which allows residents to use resources from libraries throughout the state. I use this program all the time. If I request a book from my library and it is not available I can request it from any other library in any town. It is really a great program. I have already contacted the legislators expressing my concern about this line item in the budget. I notified my book club buddies in the hope that they will also contact the state reps and voice their disapproval. And for many towns, especially smaller towns, the funding from the State, helps to keep the library a vibrant part of the community providing resources for residents that the town might not otherwise be able to afford. My town library's funding comes directly from the town budget (there is no trust,endowment etc.). It is a great community center for the residents and it has a really friendly and helpful staff. But it does not have the largest budget for materials and depends on being able to access materials from libraries throughout the state. It would certainly be a shame for the proposed state budget to pass with these cuts to library services. Today is Celebrate Teen Literature day. It is to recognize the growing genre of young adult literature, one of my favorite genres.

This is the logo for the Caldecott Medal named after the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott.