“Libraries = Strong Communities” is the theme for National Library Week, which kicks off on Sunday, April 7, and runs through April 13. 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.
Melinda Gates
This year’s honorary chair is Melinda Gates, who has dedicated her life to achieving transformational improvements in the health and prosperity of families, communities and societies. Now she will lend her support to advocate for our nation’s libraries. Over the last 20 years, Gates has invested more than $1 billion through her foundation’s Global Libraries initiative to enhance the power of libraries to improve lives. As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she sets the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropy.
Celebrations during National Library Week include:
- Monday, April 8: State of America’s Libraries Report released, including Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2018.
- Tuesday, April 9: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Pop on over to the site and nominate a library star!
- Wednesday, April 10: 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.
- Thursday, April 11 is Take Action for Libraries Day: #MyLibraryMyStory.
Is your library doing something special for National Library Week? Let us know! Give us a shout-out in the comments or on Twitter (@WyoLibraries) or Facebook. You can also email Susan Mark, Wyoming State Library outreach librarian, at susan.mark@wyo.gov to tell her about it.