April 13 through 19 is National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide-and the perfect time to discover how you can join the circle of knowledge at the Altus Public Library.

The Altus Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with a Painting on Mural workshop for preschoolers through 5th grade, and the Annual Book Lovers Sale. Dick Fontanna of KWHW will be broadcasting live from the library during the week. He will be talking with the staff about the library and all it has to offer and about National Library Week.

"Everyday, libraries in big cities and small towns, colleges and universities, in schools and in businesses help transform their communities," says Donna Smith, Branch Head Librarian. "At our library, people of all backgrounds can come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get a job or to find homework help with our databases, internet resources and, of course, our collection of books."

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.

Area teens with the help of Shortgrass Institute Director Jill Anderson painted the background for a mural to hang in the children's

section during this year's summer program, "Catch the Reading Bug." Now the library is looking for preschoolers through 5th graders to come to the library on April 14 at 4 p.m., to paint in the rest of the mural. The teens did an outstanding job painting a garden scene with lots of flowers and bugs on the 20 foot mural. They spent three evenings here at the library with Jill designing and painting the mural. The program for preschoolers through 5th graders will be from 4 - 5:30 p.m. and is free. All of the paints and brushes and templates will be provided. Kids are encouraged to use their imaginations to paint in more flowers and bugs. Parents are invited too.

Wear old clothes and plan to have lots of fun.

The annual Book Lovers Sale will be Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. each day at the library. There will be lots of books, videos, cassettes and some computer equipment to choose from. Get here early for the best selections.

For more information, visit the Altus Public Library at 421 North Hudson, call 580-477-2890 or see the library's Web site at www.spls.lib.ok.us.