DeTamble Library will kick off its annual National Library Week celebration on the campus of St. Andrews Presbyterian College on Tuesday with a variety of events designed to celebrate the theme, “Worlds connect @ your library.”

“Every day, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and businesses help transform their communities,” said Library Director Rita Dursi Johnson. “At our library, students come to do research with the assistance of a trained professional and to attend classes which are held in the facility. Staff members come to check our leisure reading materials and find resources on consumer, health and other issues of interest. Members of the faculty come to attend programs such as the library-sponsored faculty brown-bag lunches and to order research materials through interlibrary loan. We welcome members of the community to use DeTamble Library's resources to pursue their interest and do research of their own.”

Activities for National Library Week begin with the annual book sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Books will be on display outside the library, weather permitting, until 5 p.m. that day. All are welcome to browse through the books for purchase and enjoy the complimentary lemonade and cookies. While the books will move to the foyer of the library, the sale will continue through 5 p.m. on Friday.

“Anyone looking for the next big read might just find it here,” Johnson said.

The public is also invited to attend the library's final event in the Semi-Centennial Sketches - St. Andrews through the Years history series on Thursday. The four-part series, designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the articles of incorporation for St. Andrews, has included a variety of panelists sharing their perspective on different aspects of the event.

“Four alumni will be addressing the theme of Our Alumni Return - To Lead,” said Johnson. “They will be discussing what it's like to have been a student at St. Andrews and then to return as a faculty member, administrator or even president.”

Participants for this panel discussion will be Associate Professor of History and Chair of the History Department David Herr '91, Dean of Students Marti Newbold '76, Vice President for Administration Glenn Batten '90 and College President Paul Baldasare '77. The seminar begins with a reception at 4 p.m. followed by a panel discussion at 4:30.

As a library designed to primarily serve college students, four specific events will be held for the students.

“We will hold daily door prize drawings for students with a prize of a gift certificate,” Johnson said. “The student can enter once a day through Friday with all entries placed in a final drawing on April 20 for the grand prize.”

Students will also enjoy a fine free week, meaning they can return overdue items with the fines waived. Free Interlibrary Loan Week will also allow students to receive a single interlibrary loan material.

“On Wednesday evening, the library staff will treat students to snack night and will provide a variety of cold drinks and goodies,” Johnson said.

The faculty will not be ignored during the special week, with a special brown bag luncheon focusing on media literacy and the use of wikis, tagging and texting technologies to engage students in the learning process. Associate Professor of Chemistry Michael Morton will moderate the event.

First sponsored in 1959, National Library Week is a national observance each April sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country. National Library Week celebrates the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide.

For information, visit DeTamble Library on the St. Andrews Presbyterian College campus, call 910-277-5049 or visit the library's website at http://www.sapc.edu/library.