The Park Ridge Library will celebrate National Library Week, April 3-9. Library staff and administration invite all community members to visit the library in person or online to explore and access services, programs and the extensive collection of books, music, movies and digital media.

The theme for this year’s National Library Week is “Connect with Your Library.” Throughout the week of April 3, visitors to the library can pick up a library bookmark or vinyl stickers celebrating the library, while supplies last, at the front desk and service desks throughout the building. 

“National Library Week is a celebration of everything the library has to offer, from our catalog of physical materials and digital downloads, including the newest books and movies, to our in-person programs for every ages, from babies to high school students to seniors, the library is truly for everyone,” said Library Director Joanna Bertucci. “The library is a place for community members to not just learn and enjoy great stories, but to connect with one another.” National Library Week is a time to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities.

During the month of April, community members can connect at the library in several ways. Register and find more details about the schedule of programs at parkridgelibrary.libcal.com:

• During a national blood shortage, help save lives at the library’s Community Blood Drive, April 7, from Noon to 5 p.m. in the first floor meeting room. Any healthy person age 17 or older may donate (age 16 must have a permission slip). In partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois.
• Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month on Saturday, April 9, from 1 to 1:30 with Conductor Cody! Cody combines magic, comedy and storytelling to share what it's like being autistic and that disabilities are just like a different way of thinking about the world and living within it. 
• Patrons in grades 6 to 12 can meet up for a VolunTeens program, where they can make cards for hospitalized kids and earn service hours in the process, on Monday, April 18, from 5 to 6 p.m.
• A virtual author talk with bestselling author and actor Nick Offerman, in conversation with author and musician/songwriter Jeff Tweedy, on Wednesday, April 27. The hiking buddies and fellow Illinois natives will discuss Offerman’s newest book, ‘Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside.
• For the library’s youngest patrons, in-person and virtual Storytimes are happening every week. Get the full schedule at parkridgelibrary.org/storytimes/

Libraries of all types continue to go above and beyond to keep their communities connected by expanding resources and embracing inclusion in their programming, resources and collections. Libraries across the country are making a difference in people’s lives by providing electronic learning resources like online homework help and wi-fi access for students and workers who may lack internet access at home.

This National Library Week, the public can show their appreciation and support for libraries by visiting the library in person or online, following the Park Ridge Library on Facebook and Instagram and using the hashtag #NationalLibraryWeek.