That annual rite of spring, National Library Week, April 13-19, is upon us once again. It is a week when librarians all over the world celebrate the difference they make in the lives of individuals and their communities. This year’s theme is “Lives change @your library.”  Whether you are doing a job search, needing help with technology, looking for resources to help you write a paper or simply borrowing a good book to read on vacation, libraries can change your world.

At the library it is all about you.  Over thousands of years two facts have remained the same. Library buildings are built to support and grow communities. Librarians exist to serve those community members. That is our business and, unlike some institutions, libraries have never lost sight of their mission. It’s not about fame.  Or money. It’s about quietly, and with full commitment, making people, and our world, better.

Madison College librarians are a great example of this. At the College’s recent convocation, the librarians were awarded the 2014 Outstanding Team of the Year Award. Our stellar team of librarians works to provide support to our academic community, serving at seven libraries and four student achievement centers across the district. We received many nominations from every employee group and most campus locations. One of the nominators wrote, “They are invaluable in assisting the College.” Another wrote, “They are very creative and always had the student experience first and foremost when planning.” And finally, one nominator referred to them as, “the fun library people.”

So we have a lot to celebrate this year and want to share it with all of our library users. Throughout the week we will be having treats and activities that all can enjoy. For directions and rules for the various activities see: http://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/nlw2014.

Win an iPad Mini!  Submit a picture of yourself reading to Madison College Libraries’ Facebook page or Twitter account. In 2013, our library was ranked 49th of 463 universities and colleges in the country for being Social Media Friendly — higher than any other library in Wisconsin. So, your pic will get some good exposure.

Book us!  Guess how many physical books Madison College Libraries own (between all seven locations) by the end of the day on April 18. We add new books to our collection every day. There will be a grand prize winner.

Story time!  Join us for a story time with the kids of the Madison College child and family center. We need to nurture our future readers and library users. Check the web guide for date and time.

Treat day! Join us for coffee, muffins and fruit April 14, 9 a.m. to noon. There will be small treats throughout the week.