Library week was held in 2011 from the 26th – 30th September. The week was launched with a parade through Apia township in Upolu. Approximately 600 adults and children joined the parade, many dressed as their favourite book character and carrying banners supporting the theme of Library Week “Reading is your Pathway to Success”. At the conclusing of the parade an opening ceremony was held where Reverend Lefaoseu gave a keynote address on “The importance of continuing study and reading for lifelong success”. Library staff from LDS Pesega entertained the crowd by enacting two children’s stories and the School Library Assistants of Samoa performed a siva. Prizes were also awarded to the winners of the best Book Character and Banner competitions.
During the rest of the week visits were made to the Atua Farmer’s District Library in Lepa and to the big island of Savaii where a further 300 people joined in the parade, ceremony, competitions, stories, puppet shows and drama. A new book for children titled “Surviving a Tsunami : Dealing with Disaster” by Jackie Faasisila, Angela Jowitt and Walter Dudley was launched. On the final day of library week everyone enjoyed stories and activities in the Nelson Memorial Public Library and prizes were awarded for the story and poetry writing and poster competitions. All librarians of Samoa then ended the week with a dinner. Here is a link to our Programme for the week and to photos of people enjoying all these activities.