Special to The Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Judge George W. Armstrong Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library workers.

Libraries today are more than repositories for books and other resources. Often the center of communities, campuses or schools, libraries are deeply committed to the places where their patrons live, work and study. Libraries are trusted places where everyone in the community can gather to reconnect and reengage with each other to enrich and shape the community and address local issues.

Librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover what their communities needs are and meet them. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, programs for job seekers or those to support early literacy, librarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April.

The library serves the City of Natchez and Adams County by providing books in several formats, including e-books and audio books; public computers; Outreach to area nursing homes and day care centers; programs for children, teens and adults; databases for students of all ages; genealogy resources; access to online newspapers; magazines; interlibrary loan services; meeting rooms; and many more.

“Service to the community has always been the focus of the library,” said Susan S Cassagne, library director. “While this aspect has never changed, libraries have grown and evolved in how they provide for the needs of every member of their community.”

The library is celebrating National Library Week with story times, movies and “Food for Fines.” On Friday and Saturday, one dollar of fines will be forgiven for each canned good brought in. All canned goods will be donated to the Stew Pot. Lost or damaged books will not be a part of this forgiveness event, but overdue fines will be waived, one canned good for one dollar. If a patron owes $10.00 in overdue fines, 10 cans of corn (or beans or some other canned food item) will waive the fines and clear the account. Cans must be in good shape and not expired.

For more information, visit the Judge George W. Armstrong Library at 220 S. Commerce St., call 601- 445-8862, or see the library’s website at www.ArmstrongLibrary.org.