Today marks the beginning of the National Library Week and the Newton County Library plans a week full of activities. After a successful week last year, this year's efforts promise to deliver.

"Last year was the first year we started promoting it on a much larger scale," said library assistant Stevin Herald. "Last year was such a success the director said we have to do it again this year."

This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the event and is sponsored by the American Library Association. Libraries across the nation use the time to shed light on daily library activities, and the every day life of librarians and library staff.

"It's such a good time," he said. "We want to highlight the activities we normally do everyday, but this is special so we push it all into one week."

Some of the events planned include a Genealogy 101 class on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. The two-day workshop plans to teach participants how to search for family genealogy.

On Wednesday at noon, The Brown Bag Book Club will meet to discuss experiences and share book reviews and reading lists.

There will be plenty of guest speakers on hand as well. Ron Kemp presents this week's edition of adult storytelling on Monday at 7 p.m. and children's book author Ernest Hooks Jr. will be at the library on Tuesday at 4 p.m., followed by author Kenneth Morgan at 7 p.m.

A staff member from Congressman John Linder's office will hold a question and answer session on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Other events include an arts and crafts session on Thursday at 4 p.m. with the always popular family movie night to follow at 7 p.m.

According to Herald, the library has received plenty of support from the community including The Friends of the Library Group, which donates money for supplies and materials

"We'll have balloons for the kids and we're decorating the area with flower arrangements from the Satsuki Garden Club," Herald added. "We plan to give away awards for first, second and third place for the best flower arrangements."

Herald says one of the highlight's of the week for the staff is Thursday when everyone is encouraged to dress up like their favorite book character.

The celebration culminates Saturday when the library plans to turn the parking lot into a concert with an ice cream social and live music from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information visit www.newtonlibrary.com or call Stevin Herald at 770-787-3231.