NATCHEZ — Natchezians are invited to join local officials Monday at the George W. Armstrong Library to dust off their library cards and enjoy the newly finished air conditioning system in celebration of National Library Week.

Director Susan Cassagne said the celebration is also an opportunity for the library staff to recognize county and city officials for their contribution to the recent repairs at the library.

“We want to share the celebration with the community and also thank the governing bodies for their help with the new air conditioning system,” she said.

The library’s heating and cooling system recently received a major overhaul totaling approximately $206,600. The repairs were paid for by a $162,700 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority’s Community Block Development Grant Program, the Natchez Board of Aldermen, Adams County Board of Supervisors and the library.

The Friends of the Library is also in the midst of fundraising for exterior shutter and painting work for the library. Donors can adopt one of 44 shutters that need to be repaired or replaced for $100 each or pledge $25, which will buy one of 40 cans of paint for the library’s painting needs.

Donors can choose which shutter they wish to adopt and can choose to have their names placed on the shutter.

Cassagne said she estimates the work will cost approximately $22,000-$28,000, based on an estimate of approximately $18,000 that was done in 2007.

Cassagne said she hopes the community will donate to help the library finish its exterior repair work so Natchez visitors can see the community respect for the library once the repairs are complete.

“I want the exterior of the building to be representative of the respect the community feels for the library,” she said. “And you only get one first impression.”

Donors can fill out a form and drop off donations to adopt a shutter or buy paint at the library. Checks should be made payable to the Friends of the Library

The open house begins at 3 p.m. with a short program of the latest news at the library and refreshments. Cassagne said Mayor Jake Middleton, Supervisor Mike Lazarus and library board President Duncan McFarlane will speak at the open house.

Cassagne said she hopes the community joins in the National Library Week celebration to reacquaint themselves with one of the staples of the community.

“People can come see the library facilities and check out the programs we have for children and reintroduce themselves to the library and see what the library can do for them,” she said.