National Library Week is April 7-13, 2024

National Library Week is an initiative of the American Library Association to raise awareness about the resources that libraries offer and the work that librarians and library workers do on behalf of their communities. It’s more important than ever to vocally and visually celebrate libraries as they are facing unprecedented censorship attacks and budget restrictions.

The concept behind this year’s theme — Ready, Set, Library! — celebrates how Library Lovers use their library. The American Library Association is asking patrons to participate in this week-long celebration of libraries:

Participating is easy. Create a social media post showcasing your favorite thing about the library and share on Instagram, X, Threads, or on the I Love Libraries Facebook page with the hashtag #HowILibrary. And please tag your library to let them know how much they’re appreciated.

Whats in it for you? In addition to the gratification of supporting libraries, there’s also a chance to win prizes.

Visit the ALA’s website for more details.

Meg Medina

Meg Medina is this year’s Honorary Chair. Hear what she has to say in this short video.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by American Library Association (@americanlibraryassociation)

The First National Library Week

The first National Library Week was April 12-18, 1959.

Back then, librarians were concerned that Americans weren’t reading enough, that they were listening to the radio and watching TV and no longer turning to books and other library resources for information or entertainment. 

Librarians till want people to read books, but they also want to make sure that their communities know everything that their library has to offer. The library is no longer only a house for books, they contain a plethora of resources like internet access and digital devices (computers, laptops, iPads, e-readers), video cameras, DVDs, CDs, magazines, paper & online newspapers, sites like Ancestry or Consumer Reports, research databases, movie and documentary streaming platforms, employment help, story-times, hands on craft events and maker spaces, museum passes, book clubs, author events, and educational events for all ages, to name some offerings off the top of my head. Best of all, you can get professional help to learn how to use electronic devices and resources, and how to conduct research to find the information you seek.

The library is also a center for community gathering, and one of the last places in the US where a person can hang out without the expectation that they purchase something. 

How You Can Help

If you’re not yet following your local library on social media, find them, follow, and engage. And then tag them on our #HowILibrary posts. Also find out if your library has a newsletter that you can subscribe to keep abreast of upcoming events and offerings. If you think that your library doesn’t offer the things you want, talk with your librarian. It could be a need that they don’t yet know about or perhaps it’s a budget issue. (All the more reason to support your library and let local politicians know how much your library means to you!)

Libraries could use your help in getting the word out about what your library has to offer. So many people still don’t know how much libraries have changed in recent decades. You can help spread the word by sharing a photo of your favorite thing(s) at the library and use the hashtag #HowILibrary. The annual hashtag is #NationalLibraryWeek.

Books are still my favorite thing about libraries. I do also love research databases. And I occasionally read a magazine, like in the photo above taken in January. What are some of your favorite things at your library?