April 18, 2008 – Florence Williams Public Library staff and Friends of the Library worked together hosting special programs for patrons throughout the week to celebrate the 50th National Library week.
On Friday, 22 senior patrons came to the library from the Richmond Senior Citizen Center for a morning of fun, information and lunch.
"Every year they look forward to the activities we have for them," said Linneth Mercado, help desk specialist.
Students from Charles H. Emanuel Elementary School took the seniors back in time doing quadrille dances. Marjorie Pickering, director of the troupe, had the seniors reminiscing, with her remarks between the four dances, about the fun the seniors used to have putting on their long white gloves and stepping out in their long skirts to dance.
Sandra Solomon, library technician for the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, told the group about cassette players available free for their use. Patrons can select from 20,000 books and publications including the Bible, which she said is a very popular listening item. There isn't any restriction on the number of books the seniors can check out and the tapes can be dropped in the mail postage paid.
"Seniors are a big part of the population we are doing more outreach with letting them know what is available," said Ingrid Bough, territorial director of libraries.
The seniors response showed that they got a big kick out of storytelling by Andrea Christian. Christian, dressed in a burlap dress, had the group laughing over a story about school children and candy sales they weren't supposed to be doing in school.
Mercado's daughter Shekyma Mercado, a senior at Educational Complex, talked about her Mother's experience, surviving breast cancer because of early detection. The talk led to further discussion about cancer among the ladies in the group. The Library Week celebration began Monday in Christiansted with a storytelling workshop by Glenn Davis for fifth and sixth graders from Christian Academy and Randolph Lockhart Christian Schools.
On Tuesday, Cheryl Francis, wife of Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis, read to students from Juanita Gardine Elementary School. It was National Library Workers Day and four employees and volunteers were honored at a luncheon.
Almost 100 four to seven year olds from St. Mary's, Randolph Lockhart and AZ Academy were treated to a puppet show done by Youth With a Mission Wednesday.
"The Rasta puppets were really rocking the house and the kids loved it," said Margaret Mongeau, president of the Friends of the Library.
Thursday, the Friends presented awards to winners of "Teen Picks Book Review." Graffiti Street acted out a skit from "Fahrenheit 451" for after school students and Boys and Girls Club members.
Saturday begins with the 26th annual "Run to Your Library" at 6 a.m. sponsored by the V.I. Pace Runners.
A block party will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Sabrosita and Quadrille dancers from Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School. There will be a tour of the Florence Williams Library and a Friends of the Library book sale.
Steel pan bands from Woodson Junior High and St. Mary's will perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be children's book readings, face painting and balloon tying.
A panel discussion "Connecting With Your Library" begins at 1 p.m. moderated by author Edgar Lake with writers Wayne James, George Tyson and Marvin Williams discussing how they have connected with libraries and how the institution fostered the growth of their writing. The week concludes with poetry reading from 7 to 9 p.m. in the reading room.
"The week has been absolutely fantastic with great turn outs," Bough said. "We are definitely raising visibility of our libraries."
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