Thrive at Your Library

Thrive At Your Library

By Senator John A. DeFrancisco

            Onondaga County Public Libraries are here to help our community thrive! There are so many exciting things happening at our local libraries. This April, as we celebrate National Library Week, I encourage you to visit an Onondaga County library and explore this year’s theme, "Communities Thrive @ Your Library."

In 1958, National Library week was created to motivate more people to read and support and use their local libraries. Since then, it has become a tradition for the second week of April to commemorate our nation's libraries and librarians.

This year’s theme aims to help Americans realize the potential libraries have to help them thrive in today’s tough economy. Libraries offer free resources to help people find jobs and learn new skills. Librarians are trained professionals, helping people of all ages and backgrounds find and interpret the information they need to live, learn and work in a challenging economy.  

            The Onondaga County Public Library’s website, www.onlib.org, provides many opportunities for Central New Yorkers to thrive. The website provides listings of the free classes, US Tax and Census assistance, along with student homework help and GED classes. There are also listings for community meetings and seminars, family story-times and movie nights, local art exhibits, volunteer opportunities and much more!

Many school libraries also celebrate the month of April as School Library Month. During April, school libraries recognize school librarians and library programs to show students and their parents how important school libraries are to a student’s educational career.

Studies show that children who read at home and use the library perform better in school, and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

I visit schools and libraries in our area frequently to read to young children. I am very impressed with their knowledge and enthusiasm for reading. I am also happy to see many parents actively engaging their children in the library. I am very passionate about reading, and I hope that our children will continue to utilize school libraries and experience all that they have to offer.

Our libraries are a valuable resource and we should be doing all that we can to maintain them and improve upon them. I encourage you to visit and discover the opportunities at your local Onondaga County Library. For more information and to find a library close to you, please visit the Onondaga County Public Library’s website, www.onlib.org.