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National Library Week Begins Sunday, April 23
Lib sale 419
While today’s libraries offer much more than just books – loaning out everything from State Park passes to Chromebooks – there’s still something about the printed word for many library patrons. Here, people look through the boxes and boxes of paperback and hardcover books offered at what turned out to be a very busy Friends of the Oakdale Library book sale on Saturday, April 15. Many were looking for specific genres, others for favorite authors, and the sale remained a busy place throughout the day. Photo By Marg Jackson

From Sunday, April 23 through Saturday, April 29, National Library Week will be observed; a time to recognize the important role libraries play in our communities. There’s More to the Story, the 2023 theme for National Library Week, illustrates the fact that in addition to books and information, available in various formats, today’s libraries offer so much more.

Libraries offer 24/7 access to digital resources such as eBooks, eMagazines, downloadable audiobooks, music, movies, and other online resources. WiFi hotspots and home connectivity kits (hotspot, Chromebook and accessories) are available for checkout.

Library customers can borrow a State Library Parks Pass for free day-use access at most California State Parks. Discover & Go offers free or discounted tickets to museums, art galleries, and cultural centers for library cardholders. Local attractions on Discover & Go includes the Carnegie Arts Center and Gallo Center Repertory Company performances.

Cardholders who want to explore music can check out a ukulele kit, with instructions and a songbook. STEAM kits can be checked out for hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. Customers can even visit a makerspace in Turlock or Modesto to learn to sew, knit, create something on a 3-D printer, and more.

The public is invited and encouraged to visit one of Stanislaus County’s 13 libraries, or go to www.stanislauslibrary.org where they’ll find more to the story.