I Love Libraries

Celebrate National Library Week, April 10-16, 2016

This year's National Library Week theme is Libraries Transform, reminding all Americans that today’s libraries are not just about what we have for people, but what we do for and with people. Increasingly, libraries are places of creativity where people can meet to share a hobby, use a 3D printer, edit a video, or use software to record their own music. Libraries offer access to the tools, technology and training essential to the economic and cultural lives of their communities.

Learn more about ALA's Libraries Transform public awareness campaign.

Honorary Chair for National Library Week 2016 is Gene Luen Yang, award-winning graphic novelist and the 2016-2017 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. His 2006 book, "American Born Chinese," was the first graphic novel to be a finalist for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Printz Award. It also won an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album. Learn more at geneyang.com

Ways to Celebrate

1. Visit your library.

Head to your public, school or academic 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.

Follow I Love Libraries on Facebook and Twitter and the hashtags #NLW16 and #LibrariesTransform to join the celebration on social media. Help us start National Library Week off with a bang by joining our Thunderclap.You can also show your support for libraries by changing your profile picture or Facebook Cover Art.

Add our Libraries Transform Twibbon to your Facebook or Twitter profile picture.

Because __________________. #LibrariesTransform Promotion

The theme for this year's celebration was chosen to align with ALA's new public awareness campaign, Libraries Transform. Perhaps you've seen the eye-catching Because Statements on social media, or a banner like the one pictured at left, hanging at your library.

During National Library Week we're asking you to create your own Because Statement. Just fill in the blank telling us why libraries matter to you or your community. One randomly selected winner will receive a $100 gift card and a copy of "Secret Coders," by Mike Holmes and Gene Luen Yang, our National Library Week Honorary Chair.

Post to Twitter, Instagram, or on the I Love Libraries Facebook page during National Library Week for a chance to win. Your entry can be a picture or text. Creativity is encouraged. Just be sure to include the word "Because" and the hashtag #LibrariesTransform for a chance to win. Entries can also be submitted directly to the Libraries Transform website.
Join in the fun. Promotion begins Sunday, April 10 at noon CT and ends Saturday, April 16 at noon CT.

 

Other Events During National Library Week

 

• Top Ten List of  Frequently Challenged Books for 2015 - released in the 2016 State of America’s Library Report (Monday, April 11)
• National Library Workers Day,  Tuesday of National Library Week (April 12, 2016), a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers - #NLWD16;
• National Bookmobile Day,  Wednesday of National Library Week (April 13, 2016), a day to recognize the contributions of our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities - #NBD2016.

About National Library Week

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. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.