JKPL celebrates National Library Week this April 7-13

To celebrate National Library Week from April 7 to 13, 2024, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, San Antonio Branch Library, Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library (Rota), Tinian Public Library, and their Bookmobiles encourage everyone in the Northern Mariana Islands to visit your library to take part in the festivities and explore all the library has to offer.

National Library Week is a time to celebrate the nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions and promote library use and support. The theme for National Library Week 2024 is “Ready, Set, Library,” illustrating the idea that in the always-online world, libraries give everyone a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most. At the library’s author talks, workshops, and book clubs, Americans can connect with fellow enthusiasts and local experts while building relationships that will last a lifetime. No matter where you find yourself on the roadmap through life’s journey-preparing for a new career, launching a business, or raising a family-the library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs.

National Library Week schedule

Sunday, April 7: Roman Catholic Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, 9am presided by Fr. Rey Rosal, rector. Dedication prayer in honor of National Library Week, libraries, and library workers.

Monday, April 8: Right to Read Day, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. State of America’s Libraries Report released.

Tuesday, April 9:

National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

National Library Week Proclamation Signing event at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library at 10am.

Library Spirit Week: Cultural Day. Wear your favorite cultural attire at your JKPL.

Amnesty Week: During amnesty week, patrons may return overdue materials to the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library location, and the JKPL will forgive past and present fines as long as the library items are in good condition.

Banned Book Trivia.

Friendship Bracelet Making, 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Online Internet Safety class, 2:30pm-3:30pm.

Scavenger Hunt, 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Roadside Waving at JKPL curbside intersection, 4:30pm.

Wednesday, April 10:

National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.

Amnesty Week continued.

Spirit Week-Crazy Hair/Hat Day, 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Nintendo Switch Party, 2pm.

Bookmark Making.

Bookmobile School Parade.

Thursday, April 11:

Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries.

Amnesty Week continued.

Spirit Week-Wacky Print Day.

Children’s Painting Activity, 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Hour of Code-Wakanda Forever, 3:30pm-4:30pm.

Great Stories Club: Finding Your Voice, 4:30pm-5:30pm.

Arts & Crafts Day, San Antonio Branch Library, 2:30pm-4:30pm.

Friday, April 12:

Amnesty Week continued.

Spirit Week-Sports Day.

Edible Book Contest, 2pm-7pm.

Free Library Card Replacement Day.

Movie Day, 2:30pm, followed by Sensory Night, 5pm-7pm. The Sensory Corner provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. The Sensory Corner is located in the Children of Our Homeland Center a.k.a. the Children’s Library filled with stationary activities, learning to go packages, activated technology assistance devices, painting, etc

Chess Night, 4pm-7pm.

Drop Everything and Read! #WakeUpAndReadCNMI, San Antonio Branch Library, 2:30pm-4:30pm.

Bookmark Making.

Saturday, April 13:

Get your running and walking shoes ready for a great cause! Celebrate School Library Month and National Library Week by signing up for the 3rd Annual Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library 5K Fun Run/Walk. The race will start at 5pm on Saturday, April 13, 2024, beginning at the Fishing Base located in Garapan, Saipan then turning around at the Quarter Master Road and returning to finish at Fishing Base. Online registration through www.raceroster.com is required. Search: joeten-kiyu or visit the www.cnmilib.com for more details. All proceeds received from the Fun Run/Walk will go to the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s 2024 Collaborative Summer Library Program for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Please help support a great cause. Entry fee is $10 for participants 13 years old and above. The event will be free for children 12 years old and below. There will be no refunds. Please note, $10 is not inclusive of the processing fee from race roster. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This year, the Friends of the JKPL is excited to sponsor a Literary Character Costume Contest. There will be a $150.00 cash prize for the winner of the Costume Contest. The contest is open only to race/walk participants. All minor participants of the Costume Contest must be accompanied by a participating parent/guardian of the race/walk. Library card holders preferred.

JKPL extends its special thank you to National Library Week sponsors and community partners: Joeten family, Kiyu family, Commonwealth Library Council, Bridge Capital, LLC, First Lady Wella Palacios, Pacific Advisory Services, Lollipops, Oriental Corp. Dba DY Rental, Elizabeth D. Rechebei, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Office of the Governor, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Office of the Lt. Governor, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, Rota Mayor’s Office, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Pacific Engineering Group & Services, McREL International, United States Department of Agriculture, Run Saipan, CNMI Public School System, Northern Marianas Library Association, Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, Garapan Public Market, McDonalds of Saipan, Department of Lands & Natural Resources, Marianas High School JROTC battalion, Marianas Variety, Saipan Tribune, KSPN2 News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Bishop Ryan P. Jimenez, D.D., Fr. Rey Rosal, Saipan International School, Dr. Ron Snyder, Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums, American Library Association, and community partners.

Those interested in sponsoring, JKPL needs your help and contact the library at (670) 235-7318.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association and observed in libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries—school, public, academic, and special-participate.

In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee’s goals were ambitious. They ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.” With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!”

“So, get ready to explore, become inspired, and connect with others this National Library Week. Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, San Antonio Branch Library, Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library, Tinian Public Library, and our Bookmobiles are there for you, all the way to the finish line!” said JKPL in a statement.

Please enjoy your public library’s free resources by visiting our website at www.cnmilib.org like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Tik Tok @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, and Youtube: joeten kiyu public library or visit our website www.cnmilib.org to see the progress and programs JKPL has worked so hard to offer for our community. For more information regarding any of JKPL’s activities, please contact JKPL @670-235-7322/7318.

JKPL also welcomes and encourages businesses to please consider donating Educational Tax Credit. Pursuant to NMI Public Law 15-120, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is able to receive cash contributions under Educational Tax Credit (ETC). Please make checks payable to: CNMI Treasury. For MUNIS payments, to the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library MUNIS Vendor ID#100404.

JKPL’s hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 6pm; Friday from 1:30pm to 7pm, and Saturday from 9:30am to 4pm. It is closed Sundays, Mondays, Austerity Saturdays, and Holidays.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services LS-253665-OLS-23.

JKPL is an equal opportunity provider and employer. (PR)