Social Library, Volume 56: National Library Week
In this edition of the Social Library we're focused on National Library Week celebrations, with a sprinkle of D.E.A.R. and Beverly Cleary to boot! If you'd like to see your library featured in the Social Library series, please let us know via [email protected], or find us on Facebook.
There are no shortage of great programs and advocacy work this week in recognition of National Library Week. This year's theme is Libraries Transform, and the American Library Association (ALA) provided many customizable tools to help libraries spread the message that libraries are vibrant, transformative places.
A light-hearted and eye-catching example of one of the templates was posted on Facebook here. "Because Buffy couldn’t have stopped the Apocalypse without access to rare books," from ALA staff member Deborah Caldwell Stone.
A stand-out awareness campaign came from the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library (KS). Library staff recreated some of their favorite ALA READ posters. "As we were transforming our staff into READ celebrities, we thought about all the ways libraries have transformed since we first laid eyes on READ posters back in the 1980s. Today, the library is so much more than a building housing tomes of books. We're actively engaged in creating positive change and opportunities for every member of the community that we serve and love."
View the amazing results on the library's website.
Many libraries around the country are making a full week of it. For example, the Mayville Public Library (WI) is going all out to celebrate National Library Week, from "Cake All Day" to a live animal show and more. Or take the Algonquin Area Public Library (IL), which is hosting a food drive, children's bookmark decorating and dance party, and classes in the library's new teaching garden.
Quite a few libraries are also holding events to recognize National Bookmobile Day on April 13, such as Queens Library (NY), which is taking its Mobile Library on tour, making 17 stops around Queens in six days.
And as if that wasn't enough, Drop Everything and Read, or D.E.A.R., gets the spotlight every April. Beverly Cleary wrote about D.E.A.R. in Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Since then, D.E.A.R. programs have been held on April 12 in honor of Cleary’s birthday, and over the years has expanded to a month-long celebration of reading.
Speaking of Cleary's birthday, the beloved children's author turned 100 today, and Anderson County Library (SC) had the bright idea to combine these into the lovely graphic shown here.