Shepherdstown Public Library librarian Hali Taylor said the plans for a new facility are moving along.

“It’s moving at a pace that I am pleased with. We hope that the grant from the (Environmental Protection Agency) will come through in April. The grant is to fund a study of site where the library will be built,” she said.

The location of the new library will be next to the Clarion Hotel, and Taylor said that the choice of an architect is also nearly complete.

Taylor hopes to form a focus group and have community meetings where the public can voice their opinions and suggestions about the new facility. She believes that by moving more slowly, all the questions and problems of building a new library are being addressed.

With the information age upon us, Taylor said that the new library will be more computer-friendly.

Along with the books on the shelves there will be more digital books and DVDs. There will be computers that can be used by the readers that visit the library. With new computer books, Taylor believes that the libraries are still important. She noted that in hard times that the country is going through that readership at the library has picked up.

By making the new library more of a center for the information age, the Shepherdstown Public Library is hoping to attract younger readers.

The National Library Week has several programs for younger readers.

National Library Week is April 11 through 16. This year’s theme for National Library Week is “Create Your Own Story at Your Library.” Children are invited to stop by the children’s department and write or dictate to the staff a happy memory they have about visiting the library.

During the week no charges will be made for returning overdue books and other items from the library. Amnesty for prior fines well also is available for those who visit the Shepherdstown Public Library April 11 through April 16. For questions about this program or for other information, call the library at 304-876-2783.

Other dates to remember are April 12, which is “Drop Everything and Read Day,” April 14, “Support Teen Literature Day” and April 18 through 24, “National TV Turnoff Week.”

“We hope everyone will squeeze 30 minutes of reading into their schedule,” Taylor said of “Drop Everything and Read Day.”

On “Support Teen Literature Day” teenagers are encouraged to stop by to browse the graphic novels and MP3 audio books for young adults “pick up an armload of our illustrated classics or folk tales to read during ‘National TV Turnoff Week’,” Taylor said.

During the month of April, poetry, Easter, Passover and Earth Day books for children will be displayed.

Visit the children’s department on Saturday, April 30 and celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Book Day.” Bookmarks will be offered to the children who attend.