The LRC is decked out with activities and prizes for National Library Week (April 9 – 13). Not all of district 158 celebrates libraries this week, but HHS’s LRC media specialist, Sandy Brooks, has always enjoyed doing something special.

“It’s a week I always look forward to,” said Brooks. “It shakes things up and hopefully gets the students to appreciate [the library.]”

The book sale is back with books priced at 25 cents, and VHS movies and audio books on cassette for a dollar each.

Library fines are generously being cut in celebration of libraries nationwide. If a student brings in a book that has a fine on it, they will only need to pay one dollar to free themselves of the fine. Existing fines (fines on missing, lost or possibly destroyed books) will be cut in half.

Every prize and discount is funded by the fines paid by students throughout the year.

“I like to hope that it’s fun for the kids,” said Brooks. “It’s a way for us to give back from all the fines we’ve taken in.”

A dollar is hidden in a different book in the library each day of the week. Every morning on the announcements, a clue is given by one of the librarians. If a student does not hear the announcements clearly, feel free to ask the librarians during any period.

In addition, fun little trivia questions are announced every day. Any student who offers an answer to the trivia questions earns a piece of candy. If their answer is correct, their name will be added into a drawing for a $10 gift certificate to the AMC movie theater.

Staff and teachers have the opportunity to reap the benefits this week as well. Two separate buckets for staff and teachers have all the names of each district 158 employee. One name is taken from each bucket each day for the chance to win a prize.

On the backboard behind the counter, students are encouraged to participate in the picture contest to guess the identity of the staff member or teacher. Employee pictures from the past are posted for anyone to guess.

The week will come to a sweet end with cookies offered to students on Friday.