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San Antonio Public Library's e-Newsletter

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK - April 14-20, 2002

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. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate.

History
In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life." In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!"

National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the ALA Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship.

opening doors to government information

As part of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), the San Antonio Public Library's Government Documents Department is committed to providing access to patrons in the library and beyond. Designed as a Congressional depository library in 1899, the collection holds a wonderful assortment of primary documents produced by federal agencies, and we also hold Texas state publications. Our Texas collection is limited, but a tremendous resource to our users. The goal of the FDLP is to ensure equity of access and keep the spirit of government information open to the public by making it available to libraries throughout United States.

In addition to being a federal depository library, the Government Documents division also became a U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Library in March of 2000. That achievement is a great distinction for San Antonio. There are only eighty-seven U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries in the nation. We can instruct potential inventors on the use of search tools available, so the user may conduct their own patent and trademark searches.

If you wish to visit Government Documents, we are located on the second floor at the Central Library. Some of our most popular sources include the:

• U.S. Census
• U.S. Code
• Public Laws, and the
• Code of Federal Regulations.

Additional services include a collection of current San Antonio Express-News newspaper clippings from a wide spectrum of topics relating to news and events from the world, the nation, Texas, and San Antonio.

Another aspect of being a federal depository library is to provide an impartial environment for access to public information. Therefore, we also house visiting documents from Kelly, Lackland, and Fort Sam Houston, as well as from other institutions who are required by law to have their documents available for public viewing.

Government Documents also distributes free pamphlets to library users at Central and at our branch locations. Some of the publications include: student financial aid forms, IRS tax forms, voters’ registration applications, and consumer related pamphlets from the State of Texas and San Antonio government institutions.

To access our current library collection over the Internet, you can visit the Library’s web catalog at: http://www.sanantonio.gov/library. Federal publications in general can be retrieved from the U. S. Government Printing Office at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/index.html. State documents can obtained through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s TRAIL, the Texas Records and Information Locator at http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/trail/index.html.

Government information is credible, authoritative, historic, and fascinating. Publications cover an array of topics on: careers, terrorism, health, demographics, legal and regulatory information, and more. Take a look at what the Library of Congress web site has to offer: http://www.loc.gov and visit the Government Documents desk at Central to browse our publications and learn about our government institutions.

in honor of earth day...

Below is a list of Food and Fitness titles. Take care of the earth, take care of yourself! Please call or go into your local library to check for availability.

The 3-Season Diet: solving the mysteries of food cravings, weight-loss, and exercise.
John Douillard, 2000
613.25 DOUILLARD

Eat Smart, Play Hard: customized food plans for all your sports and fitness pursuits.
Elizabeth Applegate, 2001
613.7 APPLEGATE

Eating Well for Optimum Health: the essential guide to bringing health and pleasure back to eating.
Andrew Weil, 2001
613.2 WEIL

Food & Fitness.
Jan Nix and Linda Carlson, 1988
641.563 NIX

Food & Mood: the complete guide to eating well and feeling your best.
Elizabeth Somer, 1999
613.2 SOMER

Strong Women Eat Well: nutritional strategies for a healthy body and mind.
Miriam Nelson, 2001
613.2082 NELSON

Your Body, Your Diet: a complete program for losing weight, boosting energy, and being your best self.
Elizabeth Dane, 2001
613.7 DANE

If you have any questions about the library or would like to see something included in this newsletter, please contact our Web Administrator at librarywebadmin@sanantonio.gov. 

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