Celebrating National Library Week: “Drawn to Your Library”
National Library Week (NLW) was celebrated with great enthusiasm April 6-12 and centered around this year’s theme, “Drawn to Your Library.” The Clarkston Campus Library kicked off the festivities with an Insect Art exhibit featuring Associate Professor of Art, Lisa Alembik’s three-dimensional design class. “The fabulous insects are made from wire. Note cards inform the viewer about the ‘type’ of insect it is,” said Alembik.
Other NLW activities included a space for GSU Panthers to share their reasons for being drawn to the library, highlighted staff picks to guide readers, a free book giveaway to promote access to literature, and Appetizers & Advocacy provided library users the opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to advocate for the GSU libraries as well as other libraries in their community while enjoying food and fellowship, and more.
One of the week’s standout moments was a collaboration between the Dekalb County Public Library (DCPL) and the Clarkston Campus Library. The public library visited the campus to issue library cards to students, providing them with access to a broader range of literary resources. This partnership strengthened the connection between the academic and public library systems, ensuring students could benefit from even more opportunities for learning and exploration. “We met so many great students during our visit to the GSU Clarkston campus, and we can’t wait to see them at our library. DeKalb County Public Library offers a host of resources for students and it’s always exciting to share them with more people,” said Kady MacFarland, Branch Manager of the Clarkston Library in DCPL.
Another stand out moment was the collaboration with the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute (ENI), a space dedicated to empowering individuals to transform their ideas into reality. Dr. Joyelle Harris, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute at the Robinson College of Business and Executive Officer for Entrepreneurship at GSU emphasized the value of the collaboration stating “ENI’s participation in National Library Week was transformative for our staff by giving us an opportunity to serve the Clarkston Campus. We’re here to help all GSU students develop their entrepreneurial mindset and innovation skillset. We can help whether you want to launch a startup or be innovative in an established company. And we’re thankful that NLW gave us a great opportunity to build lasting connections,” said Harris.
Library workers received recognition from their managers in various ways, particularly on National Library Workers Day, observed on April 8th. Some enjoyed a special lunch as a token of appreciation, while others received more sentimental gestures, such as flowers—expressing gratitude for their dedication and hard work. “My colleagues are committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive library experience for GSU students. I am deeply appreciative of the positive impact they make every day, and I am proud to be a part of this incredible team,” said Scott Pieper, Department Head for Decatur and Newton campus libraries.
Through these activities, NLW served as a meaningful reminder of the vital role libraries play in education, creativity, and community engagement and why library users are drawn to the library. For more information about NLW, click here.