By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Laguna Vista Public Library is celebrating National Library Week this April with a full lineup of programs designed to highlight its role as a hub for learning, creativity, and community connection.
Observed nationwide each April, National Library Week recognizes the importance of libraries as spaces where people of all ages can access information, develop skills, and engage with their community. For Laguna Vista, Library Director Penny Perales said the week carries added meaning.
“National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the vital role libraries play in education, access to information, and community connection,” Perales said. “For communities like Laguna Vista, our library is more than a place to borrow books; it’s a hub for lifelong learning, digital access, cultural programming, and community engagement.”
This year’s celebration features activities for all ages. The week includes a “Blind Date with a Book” kickoff, a DIY bookmark station, open chess play, and a guest poet appearance as part of Poetry Month and the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival. A retro movie night for adults and a family-style trivia game round out the schedule, along with a monthlong “Library Duck Hunt” where participants can win a free ice cream prize.
Beyond the special events, the library continues to expand its everyday offerings. In addition to books, patrons have access to eBooks and audiobooks through the Libby app, DVDs and Blu-rays, educational kits for children, and in-library technology such as tablets and gaming systems. Services also include research databases, job resources, and assistance with health and veterans’ services.
Perales said she has seen growing engagement from the community, especially among families and younger residents.
“There has been a clear increase in school-age children, young adults, and families visiting the library, particularly to participate in educational programs and hands-on activities,” she said. “Families are using the library not only as a place to borrow materials, but as a welcoming space for learning, engagement, and shared experiences.”
Looking ahead, the library plans to introduce additional programming, including teen and adult workshops and computer literacy classes, supported by new public computers expected later this year.
Perales encourages residents who haven’t visited recently to stop by and see the changes firsthand.
“Today’s library is more than a place to check out books—it’s a welcoming, safe space for everyone and a hub for learning, connection, and creativity,” she said.
A full calendar of events is available through the library’s social media pages and the City of Laguna Vista website.
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