RENO — National Library Week, which starts today, is a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library works in schools, campuses and communities nationwide — and the perfect time to discover how “Communities thrive @ your library.”

“Libraries are the heart of every community and our library helps our community thrive,” said Washoe County Library System Director Arnie Maurins. “At the library, people of all backgrounds come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get help finding a job or to find homework help, avail themselves of free Web access and much more.”

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April.

Washoe County libraries will conduct a variety of programs during National Library Week, including story times, workshops, hobby groups, book clubs and theater performances. For more information, visit your neighborhood library or see the library’s Web site at www.washoecountylibrary.us.