National Library Week (April 9 – 15, 2017) is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and library workers and to promote library use and support. From free access to books and online resources for families to library business centers that help support entrepreneurship and retraining, libraries offer opportunity to all. The theme for 2017 National Library Week is “Libraries Transform.”
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate every year in National Library Week.
How can you celebrate National Library Week? Here are some ideas to show your support of libraries:
1. Visit your library.
Head to your favorite library during National Library Week to see what’s new and take part in the celebration. Libraries across the country are participating.
2. Show your support for libraries on social media.
Help spread the word about National Library Week by sharing these images on your blog or social media channel. Follow I Love Libraries on Facebook and Twitter and the hashtags #NationalLibraryWeek and #LibrariesTransform to join the celebration on social media.
3. Honor you favorite Library Staff Member on National Library Worker’s Day on Tuesday, April 11
National Library Workers Day is a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Let your favorite Library staffer how much you appreciate what they do.
5. Thursday, April 13 is Take Action for Libraries Day
At the federal level libraries are facing some special challenges this year, so we’ll be asking for your help on Thursday of National Library Week.
In response to President’s Trump proposed budget cuts, this year’s Take Action for Libraries Day will highlight the library community’s efforts to safeguard funding for the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which serves as a critical funding resource for every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories to support libraries and museums. IMLS funding helps support literacy programs for youth, small business service centers, services for veterans and technological resources and services like 3-D printers.
“We must stand-up and voice our support for libraries to legislators and local, state and federal leaders,” said ALA President Julie Todaro. “Librarians and library workers transform lives every day though educational resources and expert guidance. While many value the contributions of libraries, libraries can’t live on love alone. The loss of crucial federal funding will have a profound impact on library service and the more than 1. 5 billion who rely on them. Join our Thunderclap on Take Action for Libraries Day to help us save federal funding for libraries.
