Have you bought a good book lately?

The week of April 3-9 marks National Library Week. To cap off and celebrate the week, the Starkville Public Library is hosting a fundraiser, the Grape Gatsby, scheduled for Saturday night at the library.

The gala should be a good time for an even better cause, the Starkville-Oktibbeha Public Library System. The system operates libraries in Starkville, Maben, and Sturgis.

The ban speakeasy event for people of all ages will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Starkville Public Library. You won’t need a secret password to enter, but you will need a ticket. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. The ticket price includes a glass of wine, appetizers from local restaurants, a chance to win a bottle of wine from the wine raffle, and entertainment.

Many people, groups and companies came together to ensure the success of the evening. The Bill Perry Trio, from Oxford, will rock the event with their funky jazz tunes. A dancing space will be set up for those who want to “cut a rug” throughout the night. Whitney Wofford, owner of The Flower Company in Starkville, prepared decorations for the event. There will be plenty of photo opportunities as the atmosphere of black and gold, feathers and fringe is sure to transport you to a bygone era and set the mood of the Roaring Twenties.

“It’s going to be really fun, … I’m just happy to be involved,” Wofford said.

To add a little spice, guests are more than welcome to dress up in costumes or come as they are.

When asked why the Great Gatsby theme was chosen for the event, Phillip Carter, director of the Starkville Public Library, said that not only was it a great book, but it was a way to link literature to the event and to generate enthusiasm around the library.

“I wanted a reason for people who maybe aren’t great readers, maybe they’re more social, and maybe they don’t always come to the library,” he said. declared. “I wanted to give people a reason to come back to this building for something exciting, and not think of it as just a place where we store and house books.”

After speaking with Carter, it was clear that this was an exciting project for everyone involved, with the goal of improving the overall library experience.

Carter shared that nationally, public libraries receive less than 2% of tax dollars and in Mississippi it’s less than 1%. Yet 65% of the population uses local libraries across the country.

All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System by helping to offset its general operating budget.

Special programming, supplementing library collections and library equipment, such as a new book drop box, are just a few examples of what the funds will be used for. A space has also been set up in the library for teenagers and young adults, but it requires some work. Furniture, paint and decoration are needed to polish the space.

“I love the idea of ​​bringing the community together, together, at the library…and seeing the other things the library is capable of,” Carter said.

The Starkville Public Library is a place that can offer more than just a place to check out books. This event is just one example of how the library is expanding its offerings to reach more members of the community.

For individuals or companies wishing to help sponsor the event, there are different levels of donations that can be made. Ticket information and how to become an event sponsor can be found by visiting the event website, starkville.lib.ms.us/index.php/the-grape-gatsby/ or be found by calling the library at 662-323-2766.

Additional donations of wine bottles for the wine draw are also welcome.