This past week was National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. National Library Workers Day was Tuesday, April 21. I would like to use this opportunity to recognize the excellent work of my coworkers and the ways they make the library a community resource for all.

Our librarians use their expertise to build a well-rounded collection of materials that will appeal to our wide range of users, from babies to seniors, from romance readers to New Ulm history buffs. They investigate circulation trends, read professional reviews, search databases, and work through collection reports to make sure that we are creating a collection that will meet the educational, informational, and entertainment needs of our community.

Librarians also create, plan, advertise, and deliver the many library events that we offer to the community. They coordinate with presenters, pursue grant funding, put together marketing materials, lead events, and complete every other step it takes to offer engaging events for the public.

Our part-time staff truly make it possible for us to offer everything that we do. Library Assistants, Aides, and Pages are the heart of the library. They are dedicated to offering exceptional public service at our circulation and children’s desks. They assist with finding materials and placing requests, make reading recommendations, offer computer assistance, ready new materials for public use, reshelve books and maintain our collections, and complete many, many other behind-the-scenes tasks that make our library run smoothly. Their ability to provide welcoming, knowledgeable, and skilled library service makes the library a place the community wants to be.

I am fortunate to work with such a talented team who is so committed to providing excellent library services for our community. Next time you stop by the library, please let them know how much their talents, knowledge, and skill are appreciated.

New Ulm Public Library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information on library services, collections, and events, visit www.newulmlibrary.org or call 507-359-8331.