Celebrate National Library Week with Citrus Libraries!

This year from April 23 to April 29, libraries across the country will be partaking in the celebration of “National Library Week”! In addition to this yearly celebration, the Citrus County Library System is celebrating 35 years of serving this community. While libraries have long been known for their collection of books, those collections have grown, the spaces have changed and now there’s more to the story at your local libraries than ever before.

Libraries provide meeting spaces where community members can gather, learn, and exchange ideas with a variety of programs. The Citrus County Library System offers wide-ranging programs from the more traditional and expected, such as book clubs and historical presentations, to technology, sewing, art and much more. These programs create opportunities for people to connect with one another and explore new ideas. These interactions can lead to a sense of community and belonging, as well as increased knowledge and understanding. In a world where technology can often make people feel isolated, libraries offer a valuable physical space where individuals are encouraged to come together and engage with their fellow community members. You can pick up a Monthly Activity Guide in one of our branches or go on our website’s calendar to find out which programs are coming up at a library near you.

Did you know that you can check out some lettuce seeds for your new garden or check out science experiments for your kids? In the last year, Citrus Libraries has added a variety of kits and resources that you may not be aware of, such as Birding Backpacks, Compassionate Care Kits, STEM Discovery Kits, and Seed Libraries containing vegetable and flower seeds in several of our locations. These new additions have brought books to life with hands-on learning for all ages.

Citrus Libraries has recently expanded and improved indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi. Outdoor Wi-fi is available 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all branches. Having access to the internet has become essential for people to stay connected, informed, and engaged with the world around them. However, not everyone has the means to access the internet at home or work, and this is where libraries come in. By providing free Wi-Fi, libraries give everyone in the community an equal opportunity to access the internet, regardless of their financial situation. This is particularly important for students who need internet access to complete homework assignments and research papers, job seekers who need to apply for jobs online, and those who rely on the internet for communication with loved ones.

While our offerings continue to grow, one of the greatest assets that our library system has is our staff. They are truly the heartbeat of Citrus Libraries. From the smiling faces that you see at the desk each day and those who are out in the community at festivals and events, to the youth librarians that instill a love of learning and the instructors who work to further your understanding of technology, all of our staff have a passion for serving the Citrus County community.

Be sure to stop by one of our branches and show your support for libraries this week by checking out a book, attending a program, or getting a library card. If you’re not able to make it into a branch this week, you can also show your support online. You could share a post from Facebook, encourage a friend to follow us on Instagram or just tag us in a picture that shows what books you just checked out through Libby. However you choose to show your support, know that we all appreciate the time that you’re taking to celebrate National Library Week with us!