CAMDEN — Beginning April 6, in recognition of National Library Week, the Camden Public Library will have daily events featuring different components of the library’s facilities, programs, and staff.

The public is invited to any and all events, to help celebrate this nation’s libraries and the Camden Public Library in particular.

This year’s theme is “Libraries = Strong Communities.”

The reason for the special celebration on April 6 is to announce the Campaign for the Future, an opportunity for the community to show its support of the library and help raise the remaining $1 million in the fundraising campaign.

The celebration, at 2 p.m., will feature the premier of a short video about the library, the announcement of a brick campaign, the Edible Book Festival, and more.

The Campaign for the Future will sustain the library’s programs and operations year after year; currently the library depends on private donations and fees to cover more than half of its budget, according to the Library, in a news release.

"Edible Book” submissions are wanted for April 6. Food artists can create any sort of edible book, which can look like a book in form or shape, or be otherwise inspired by a book or author. Create a pun of a book title, or reproduce a book cover.

“Any food goes – it doesn’t have to be cake!,” according to the release.

For the event, participants and attendees are welcome to dress as their favorite book characters. Refreshments will be served, and local celebrity judges will assess the Edible Book entries.
 
The theme for Sunday, April 7, is “Hidden Treasures.” Discover the Camden Public Library’s hidden gems. Library-goers can stop by in person, from 1 to 5 p.m., or visit the Facebook page to learn some things they might not have noticed at the library. 

For example, did you know that nine of the paintings in the Reading Room were stolen in 1970? Or that the Library has an extensive collection of Edna St. Vincent Millay documents? Read all about it on April 7.
 
“Lifelong Learning” is the theme of Monday, April 8. The library will feature select programs, services, and special announcements about what the Camden Public Library offers. Enjoy some Hershey's Kisses while you read all about it.
 
The topic for Tuesday, April 9 is “Support Our Staff!” Get to know your favorite librarians.

Take a look at staff profiles, which will be displayed around the library’s columns in the Rotunda as well as posted on Facebook. The librarians are a diverse and interesting bunch, in their work lives as well as at home, and will welcome questions.
 
The Walsh History Center Grand Re-Opening is on Wednesday, April 10 at 1 p.m. Mary Louise Curtis Bok will be visiting from the early 1900s to celebrate the formal ribbon-cutting to open the brand-new History Center.

The room has been reworked and refreshed to offer more meeting space, and an easier layout for research and archival work. Staff will also be dressed in 1920s style.

The renovations to the Walsh History Center are due to the generosity of the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation and the Davis Family Foundation.
 
Young Readers will be celebrated on Thursday, April 11. Four- and five-year-olds will be joined by their grandparents and other special older adults of the community for a multi-generational story time at 10 a.m.

Story hour will be a celebration of the connections between generations in the community. Stories and crafts will be available. All are welcome to participate. 
 
Amy Rollins and Dave Jackson will offer tours of the historic buildings and parks on Friday, April 12, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Highlighted on the tour will be the new restoration of the steps of the original library building. Andreas von Huene, the sculptor who has taken such good care of the Fauns Garden sculpture and the Andre the Seal sculpture in Rockport, will be on hand to show off the new restoration.

On Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m., join Miss Loraine for a special storytime to read and think about the future. Where will residents be in five years, ten years, fifty years?

Children will create drawings of their future selves and will be writing letters to open in the future. Children are also encouraged to bring along a small treasure to enclose in the letter to their future selves.