This week was an important one in journalism — National Newspaper Week. It is a crucial event to celebrate, especially at a time when some will say that newspapers are becoming obsolete.

The reality is that news will always be consumed.  People want to know what’s going on locally, and that’s news you can’t find on CNN or in the New York Times. And yes, that means newspapers have had to change the way they operate. Twenty years ago people read the print newspaper. Now they can find the Tribune on our website, www.AlbertLeaTribune.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and in their email inbox.

The advent of technology has not made us weaker; it has made us a stronger community-minded newspaper. Before digital cameras and email, if we couldn’t get to an event there just wouldn’t be any coverage. Now we welcome citizens to submit photos, write-ups, sports scores or stats and much more. Readers can help us put together a better product that includes more local content.

That is what newspapers are really all about — connections to the community. Newspapers like the Albert Lea Tribune are thriving. Albert Lea residents count on the Tribune to check local police reports, attend city council and school board meetings, introduce new businesses, print election results and so much more. We have opinion columns from local residents and welcome letters to the editor. Within our pages you will see retail and classified ads informing you about local garage sales, inserted fliers and what store is having the latest sale, promotion or event. Newspapers still are the best vehicle for connecting to customers.

So newspapers are here to stay, but it’s all thanks to you, our reader, our consumer of news, our neighbor. Thank you for reading our newspaper in print and online, following us on Twitter and Facebook and for making this great partnership continue to grow and to thrive.