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BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY INVITES COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK AND SUPPORT LOCAL LIBRARIES -- April 2nd - 8th
An Evening with Twain, Chocolate, Shopping… and More to Benefit the Library
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Buffalo , NY -- The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) celebrates National Library Week (April 2nd through 8th ) and asks the community to support its local libraries, announced Director Michael C. Mahaney . Activities are planned to meet a wide array of interests, allowing residents an opportunity to contribute to the B&ECPL at different levels and in different ways.
“National Library Week is the perfect time to recognize the value of public libraries in Western New York ,” said Development Office Director Ruth A. Collins . “With the loss of $7 million in annual support from Erie County over the last two years, the Library System needs community involvement now more than ever.”
Space is still available for the special event, “A Taste of Twain: From Bayou to Buffalo ,” taking place on Friday, April 7 th at the downtown Central Library. The evening kicks off at 6:30 with the Niagara University Theatre Department performing “Mark My Words: A Celebration of Twain.” Afterward, guests can sample tasty Cajun cuisine and Buffalo favorites prepared by Fables Café, while listening to the sounds of Lee Ron Zydeco and the Hot Tamales. Throughout the event, attendees will be able to participate in a basket raffle, silent auction and tours of the Mark Twain Room, housing the author's handwritten manuscript of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . Tickets are $50 per person and include all activities plus one drink or five raffle tickets. Proceeds benefit B&ECPL children's materials and services. Clinton Street doors to the auditorium open at 6:00 p.m.
Individuals who visit Borders Bookstore, Walden Avenue location, will be able to purchase a book for the B&ECPL from a wish list of titles for children and young adults. The list contains paperbacks as well as hardcover fiction and non-fiction books that, due to budget cuts, are in short supply in library collections. Each month will feature specific B&ECPL locations that donors can select as recipients of the gift titles. April's library recipients are the Riverside Branch, Cheektowaga Libraries, Elma Public Library and North Collins Public Library. Donors will be recognized with a special bookplate. Borders will sponsor the “For the Love of Books” campaign through the end of the year.
On Tuesday, April 25th from 6 to 10 pm , library supporters can enjoy an evening of fashion, refreshments, entertainment, prizes and an exclusive discount at the Kaufmann's Walden Galleria location. For a $10 admission ticket, guests receive a special 20% off regular and sale-priced fashions for the entire family, including accessories (15% off regular and sale-priced items in the Home Store). In addition, attendees sample delicious cuisine and fine wines, listen to musical performances, watch fashion shows and meet favorite media celebrities. All ticket holders are automatically entered to win a $1000 Kaufmann's shopping spree with additional prizes given away the night of the event. Tickets may be ordered online at www.buffalolib.org or at any B&ECPL location. All proceeds will fund new library materials at B&ECPL locations.
For chocolate lovers, the B&ECPL is releasing a new product during National Library Week -- a gourmet chocolate library card. Available at all participating library locations, including the Central Library's gift store, the edible library cards come in three flavors, milk, dark and almond. The bars sell for $2.50 each and are manufactured by downtown Buffalo 's only chocolate factory, Choco-Logo. Proceeds directly benefit the library location where the chocolate is purchased.
“We also urge community members not to discard previously enjoyed books, CDs or magazines,” added Collins. “If they are in good condition, the Library may add them to the collection or resell them and apply the proceeds to the purchase of new titles.”
For more information, call 858-8900, visit www.buffalolib.org or email devoff@buffalolib.org.