Explore unlimited possibilities at your library

This week, the NMI State Library System, which consists of Saipan’s Joeten Kiyu Public Library, Rota’s Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Public Library, and the Tinian Municipal Public Library joins libraries in schools, campuses, and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians, and library workers.

Libraries today are more than warehouses for books. Instead, libraries and librarians are change agents within their communities—transforming lives through innovative education resources and forward-thinking programming. Libraries are doing their part to close the digital divide and level the playing field by providing free access to information and technologies that many in their communities would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Libraries help to ensure the American dream and promote democracy by providing service to all regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status.

Librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students, and the public at large to discover and meet the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, programs for job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, librarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond.

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library serves the community of Saipan by providing access to books, magazines, electronic databases, and technology. The Children of Our Homeland Bookmobile serves children and teens at several public elementary and middle schools, as well as village youth centers and the DYS Juvenile Detention Center. The library offers read-alouds and crafts, family movies, volunteer opportunities for teens, and the Page Turners Teen Book Club. It also offers an extensive collection of Pacific resources—local historical and indigenous cultural artifacts to support personal and academic research about the region.

“The library has always been a place of unlimited possibilities,” said JKPL Technical Services librarian Rosalyn Ajoste. “Whatever your interest or need, the library and the library staff are here to provide you the resources you need to accomplish your goals and dreams.”

The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Public Library, and Tinian Municipal Public Library are celebrating National Library Week by offering amnesty on overdue books and fines (some restrictions apply), book sales with reduced prices and additional selections, Free Library Card Replacement Day, Open House, Read-Alouds and Crafts, and family movies. In addition, the libraries celebrate National Library Workers Day and National Bookmobile Day the same week.

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

For more information, visit the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in Susupe, or call 235-READ (7323) or (7322). Library hours on Saipan are Tuesday to Friday (10am-6pm) and Saturday (9am-4pm); JKPL is closed on Sundays and Mondays. On Tinian, call 433-0504/05. The Tinian Public Library is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and 9am to 12pm on Saturday. On Rota, call 532-7328/29. Rota Public Library is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and from 9am to 12pm on Saturdays. Visit the state libray’s website at www.marianaslibrary.org for more information. (JKPL)