The week of April 15-20 is National Library Week.

It is a national celebration of libraries all across the nation.

This week at the Austin Public Library the celebration began with 3M's Self-Check Day.

For every 100 patrons who tried out the self-check machine, the library was entered into a drawing for cash prizes for books and other materials from the 3M Company.

Free cookies were available for patrons when they self-scanned their books.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week were celebrated with movies of Franklin the Turtle. This Saturday, April 20, at 10 a.m. Franklin the Turtle will visit the library in the large meeting room. Another event for children are to draw a picture of their hero and bring it to the library. Each child

will receive a free waffle cone coupon from Culver's.

Children's drawings will be eligible to win gifts from Culver's at the end of April. All artists 12 years old and younger are invited to participate in this event. Only one drawing per child, please.

The library is a public building and is for the public. National Library week reminds us of this.

First Lady Laura Bush is campaigning and wants the public to be aware that there will be a shortage of librarians in a couple years.