CHECK IT OUT:

This week is National Library Week. Established in 1958, National Library Week celebrates the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and encourages libraries in every community to spread the word about how World’s Connect @ Your Library. Newport Beach Public Library staffers invite you to stop by and check out the world of information and relaxation materials at your library and the special programs going on this week.

Since 300 BC, when 30,000 clay tablets made up the Great Library of Alexandria, libraries have been a place where written knowledge has been collected and shared.

Today’s libraries are much more than book repositories; they are at the forefront of the 21st-century world of technology and serve their communities with a wide variety of electronic media and online resources as well as traditional collections.

Many libraries have also developed into community centers for literary, cultural arts, and other learning activities. The role of libraries and librarians is constantly changing, and nothing tells the story better than some of the materials inside the library.

There are an amazing amount of books and movies depicting libraries and librarians. The following selections are meant to bring the reader fact and fiction about libraries and the people who work in them. Sit back and enjoy!

“Why Libraries Still Matter” published by the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation, designed, written and photographed by Joe Mozden, gives the reader a glimpse into the day-to-day life of the Newport Beach Library through photos and commentary while “Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library,” by Library Assistant Don Borchert, provides the reader with a more personal view of library happenings from a current employee (not at NBPL!), and shows the human side of library staff.

“Carnegie Libraries Across America: Public Legacy” by Theodore Jones recounts the history of these early libraries established in the U.S. If you have some time, delve into the reference book “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World,” which includes The Vatican Library, The National Library of Austria, The Benedictine Abby Library of Metten of Germany and more.

“In the Stacks: Short Stories about Libraries and Librarians” and “Casanova was a Librarian: A Light-Hearted Look at the Profession” by Kathleen Low, will make the reader laugh, or maybe even cringe. “The Camel Bookmobile,” set in a Kenya village, involves a well-intentioned librarian inadvertently renewing a decades old feud when she attempts to establish a camel bookmobile there.

“The Image of Librarians in Cinema, 1917-1999” by Ray Tevis analyzes the stereotypical librarian in film from the silent era to the 21st century, which leads us to…the movies!

In “The Name of the Rose” a monk investigates a series of mysterious deaths in a monastery and discovers hidden secrets in the monastery’s great library that are linked to the killings.

“The Gun in Betty Lou’s Handbag” features a shy librarian that no one pays attention to until someone finds a gun in her handbag.

“Ghostbusters” and “Desk Set,” with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, are classics with library settings.

Children’s books often delve into the world of libraries and librarians, as well, and there are plenty to choose from at the Newport Beach Public Library.

Two recent intertwined books have been published telling the story of Iraqi librarian Alia Muhammed Baker, who, fearing looting and bombs, hid more than 30,000 books prior to the invasion of Iraq.

Jeanette Winter tells the story in her parable-like picture book “Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq” and Mark Stamaty, inspired by the true story, relates it in his graphic novel “Alia’s Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq.”

“The Inside-Outside Book of Libraries” by Roxie Munro gives the young reader illustrations with brief text about all kinds of libraries from bookmobiles and home libraries to the New York Public Library and The Library of Congress, while “Please Bury Me in the Library” by J. Patrick Lewis is a fun collection of poems celebrating the joys of reading, books, libraries and all things library.

“Bats at the Library” by Brian Lies has fun with bats finding an open library window, into which they fly, only to discover the photocopier, drinking fountain, and, of course, the books.

“Our Library” by Eve Bunting tracks a raccoon and his friends who go to great lengths to make sure they will always have a library from which to borrow books.

For a complete schedule of events at Newport Beach Public Library, visit www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.