Celebrate National Library Week

National Library Week is Celebrating its 60th Anniversary April 8th-14th, 2018!

In the mid 1950's, the American Libraries Association recognized that people were spending less time reading books and were more focused on radios, music, and television. In an effort to win people over with reading and books, the National Book Committee was formed in 1954. The committee became devoted to reading recognition and set lofty goals to encourage people to read in their leisure time. With that, National Library Week was born as a response for libraries to meet the needs of their newly found patrons. The first National Library Week was themed "Wake Up and Read" in 1958 and the tradition has continued on for sixty years!

Celebrations during National Library Week 2018:

• Monday, April 9: State of America's Libraries Report released, including Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2017.

• Tuesday, April 10: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. #nlwd18

• Wednesday, April 11: National Bookmobile Day, a day to recognize the contributions of our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities. #bookmobileday2018

• Thursday, April 12: Take Action for Libraries Day. #fundlibraries

The theme for National Library Week 2018 is "Libraries Lead," which encourages patrons to tell their stories of where libraries have lead them. 

Where have libraries lead you?! To continue your education? To your favorite author? To your destined career path? Comment below where libraries have lead you in your life!

Be sure to check out the exhibit in the Main Level Gallery of Lehman Library where the history of National Library Week and past themes are on display. Visit the tri-fold and drop a note card in the bowl telling us where libraries have lead you! We would love to hear from you! 

For more information on National Library Week, click the link below:

http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek

Reference:

http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek