Libraries are one of the few places where knowledge is still available to the public for free.

Whether you are browsing catalogs of books, utilizing computers connected to the Internet, or meeting to  study and talk with others, libraries provide people with services that are rarely fully appreciated. But, for one week out of the year, libraries attempt to remind people of their value, while celebrating all they have to offer.

As part of the nationwide celebration, the St. Edward’s University Scarborough-Phillips Library celebrated National Library Week April 11-17. The library hosted events aimed at making students aware of the importance of libraries.

 “We want to promote particular services and attract students who normally wouldn’t come to the library,” said Connie Cabezas, reference librarian.

National Library Week was initiated in 1958 by the National Book Committee to increase community awareness and appreciation of local libraries. According to the National Library Week fact sheet, the celebration began largely as a reaction to Americans spending more money on televisions and radios as opposed to books. The American Library Association took over National Library Week after the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974.

Every year Library Week adopts a different theme. This year’s theme was “Communities Thrive @ Your Library,” and emphasized the ways libraries can be a common resource for all people, as well as the social possibilities they also offer.

Cabezas said that planning for this year’s events started in February, and the library first had to figure out what the budget was and from there determine the pricing for food. Another major focus is figuring out what kinds of activities would interest students.

“Over the last five years we’ve become a little more elaborate, with more events and lots of free food,” Cabezas said.

Some of this year’s events included a book giveaway evidenced by the carts of books sitting outside the library April 11, a poetry slam, a book signing by St. Edward’s professor Varian Johnson and a library trivia game. There were also several events where free food was available to those who stopped by.

“This year was the first time we’ve had an author or have done a poetry slam,” Cabezas said, noting that they were two of the most popular events of the week.

Overall reception to library week was good, according to Cabezas.  However, she feels there is room for improvement in the future.

“Something we will be working on for next year is how to better get the word out,” she said.The next event the library has planned is the end of the year all-nighter. The library will remain open from May 2 at noon until May 4 at 2 a.m. Cabezas said an extra day was added in response to students complaining that the all-nighter wasn’t long enough.