Gates named Library Week honorary chair

Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has dedicated her life to achieving transformational improvements in the health and prosperity of families, communities and societies. Now she will lend her support to advocate for our nation’s libraries as honorary chair of National Library Week, April 7-13, 2019. Over the last 20 years, Gates has invested more than $1 billion through her foundation’s Global Libraries initiative to enhance the power of libraries to improve lives.

“We couldn’t imagine a more ideal person to serve as National Library Week honorary chair,” stated American Library Association President Loida Garcia-Febo. “Melinda Gates has been a partner and catalyst for focusing global attention on the essential roles of libraries in providing equitable access to information and learning in the digital age for more than two decades. Her efforts to lift up underserved communities and empower individuals to make a difference in the world mirror the spirit of librarians and library workers, who work to help patrons reach the peak of their potentials.”

“Libraries = Strong Communities” is the theme for this year’s celebration of National Library Week, reminding the public that libraries of all types serve as change agents that strengthen communities by supporting community engagement and providing services that connect closely with patrons’ needs.

“In addition to providing communities with access to ideas and information, libraries play an important role in our public life by encouraging creativity, promoting equality, and serving as a source of empowerment,” Gates said. “This week, and every week, library workers deserve our support and our gratitude.”

Gates spent the first decade of her career developing multimedia products at Microsoft before leaving the company to focus on her family and philanthropic work. Now, as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she sets the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropy. She is also the founder of Pivotal Ven-tures, an investment and incubation company working to drive social progress for women and families in the United States.

On April 23, Gates will debut “The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World,” a timely and necessary call to action for women’s empowerment. The candid and inspiring book traces Gates’ awakening to the link between women’s empowerment and the health of societies. It introduces us to Gates’ heroes in the movement toward equality, offers startling data and shares some of the moving conversations she’s had with women all over the world. Gates details the tremendous opportunities that exist right now to “turbo-charge” change, and she provides simple and effective methods that each of us can use to make a difference.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is an annual observance by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. National Library Week celebrations include the release of the ALA’s 2019 “State of America’s Libraries Report,” April 8; National Library Workers Day, April 9; National Bookmobile Day, April 10; Take Action for Libraries Day, April 11; and the celebration of School Library Month throughout April.

For more information about National Library Week, please visit ala.org/nlw

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar St., unless otherwise noted.

East Bonner County Library Schedule:

- Fridays — Explore Virtual Reality reserve sessions, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at www.ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Info: 208-266-1321.

- Saturday, April 6 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We are offering all of our gardening books to help you get on your way to green and gorgeous yards. Because April is poetry month, we are offering wonderful poetry selections and, once again, all of our media is half price. Come and take advantage of all of our offerings. In addition, if you have been saving up book donations, now is the time to bring them in. We welcome all of you and hope to see at the sale!

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality (drop-in sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at www.ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m.; stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m.; stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore Virtual Reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesday, April 9 — Stomp Rockets, 3 p.m., Community Room B. Make a rocket and then launch it! Part of Sandpoint Parks & Recreation’s “Unplug & Go Outside” initiative. Location is subject to change. Call 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org to confirm.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering, 3:30-5 p.m., Community Room A. Teens play the game, MAGIC the Gathering. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words, 5:30 p.m. in the YA Reading Area. A creative writing workshop for teens with Beth Weber. Whether you are a poet, penner of short stories, or working on the great American novel, join us at the library to make your literary endeavor come to life. Info: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Stories, crafts, and prizes for kids ages 3-8. Info: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, April 10 — Afterschool Stories, 2:30 p.m. in the glass children’s room. Trickster tales … told with puppets and storytelling. Geared to K-3, but all welcome. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, April 10 — 3D Printing Club, 4:30-6 p.m. in the VR Room. Drop in the second and fourth Wednesday of the month to join us at our 3D Printing Club. Collaborate with others and learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. A few laptops will be provided or you may bring your own device. Open to all ages and skill levels. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Wednesdays (in April) — Arts, Crafts, & Creations, 4:30 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in the Teen Lounge. Celebrate this year’s Earth Day global theme, Protect Our Species, by building pollinator habitats. Every Wednesday we will tackle a new project to support bees, bats, butterflies, and birds. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Thursday, April 11 — Discover Augmented and Virtual Reality, 5-7 p.m. in the VR Room. Engage the future with our new VR Room! Gain in-depth knowledge of AR and VR, get to know the hardware involved, and test your skills in a VR challenge. Registration is required as space is limited: 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Saturday, April 13 — eSports League at The Library, 1 p.m., Community Room A. Making eSports available to high school gamers by facilitating healthy competition on a varsity level in a comfortable environment is the mission of the HSEL. The Library is partnering with the SHS eSports team to further that mission. Info: dalton.hawkins@lposd.org

- Saturday, April 13 — Respect Wildlife – or Evict It?, 2 p.m., Clark Fork branch library. American Heritage Wildlife Foundation presents a discussion about discovering the importance of each species as well as how to humanely relocate unwanted neighbors. Info: 208-266-1321.

- StoyWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Wake Up!” by Helen Frost at Dover City Park and “On Meadowview Street” by Henry Cole at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.