NORWAY – The Norway Memorial Library is preparing for National Library Week, April 19-24, with a program on Somalia and a series of computer tutorials for the public.

The library will present a special “Read” magnet to all who attend programs during this week.

Abdiaziz Ali will present a special program on Somalia at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 22. Ali is a case manager for the Portland-Lewiston Refugee Collaborative. He will provide background information on Somalia and explain some of the issues relating to the Somali emigration to the United States. The public is welcome.

The series of computer tutorials relating to MARVEL!, Maine’s Virtual Library, will be held throughout the month of April. MARVEL! can be accessed through the Internet at http://libraries.maine.edu/mainedatabases or through the Norway library’s Web site at www.norway.lib.me.us and click on the MARVEL! link.

This resource contains millions of articles in thousands of journals, newspapers, magazines, and encyclopedias.

On Tuesday, April 20, from 2 to 3 p.m., the topic for the tutorial will be accessing information through the EBSCO Research Databases. This collection of databases includes resources for business, medicine, literature, science, religion, careers, psychology, etc. On Thursday and Friday, April 22 and 23, there will be tutorials throughout both days on finding reliable health resources, on using literature databases, on using Novelist for fiction reading selections, and on using Proquest Newspapers. People may phone the library for information on the specific times.

On Wednesday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to noon, the computer tutorial will be on accessing business resources using MARVEL!

Science Fun is the topic of the special program for parents and children ages 5-12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21. Tom Ford, a retired science teacher, will show children concepts of science and invite them to participate in hands-on experiments. Space is limited so preregistration is necessary before April 16. This can be done by phoning the Children’s Department at the library at 743-5308.

The Maine Wildlife Park is the topic of another special program during National Library Week. On Saturday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m., Henry Hamilton of Otisfield, who is the director of the park, will talk about the park’s projects in rehabilitating animals. He will also give an overview of the facilities available for visitors to the park which opens its season April 15.

The public is welcome to this presentation, which is appropriate for individuals as well as parents with children 5 years old and older. The Friends of Norway Library have purchased a visitors pass for library patrons to check out and use. For information or to register for classes call the library at 743-5309, or check the Web site at www.norway.lib.me.us.