During my time here at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, I have heard many customers declare their love for our library and all it has to offer them. Each time I hear this, it makes me proud not only to be a librarian, but to be able to say I work for this library. Pursuing this career was something I knew I wanted to do since I was a senior in high school. I have never once regretted the decision to seek a career in librarianship and I’m very lucky to be able to enjoy what I do for a living.

National Library Week is held every April by the American Library Association (ALA) to celebrate our nation’s libraries and library workers. It is a great opportunity to promote library use and to show library support. This years theme is “Libraries Transform.” National Library Week began in the mid-1950s when research showed that Americans were spending less time reading books and more time listening to the radio, watching television, and playing musical instruments. In response to this research, ALA joined forces with the American Book Publishers and formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee. In 1957, the committee launched the idea for National Library Week and in 1959, the ALA Council voted to continue the event as an annual celebration.

Celebrations during National Library Week include the State of America’s Libraries Report (including the release of the Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2016), National Library Workers Day, National Bookmobile Day, and Take Action for Libraries Day.

How are you celebrating National Library Week? Need a suggestion? Try out one of these ideas:

1. Visit your library and check out all we have to offer!
2. Create a Button Bookmark at home or in the Dabble Box.
3. Show your support on social media by adding the Libraries Transform Twibbon to your Facebook or Twitter profile picture.
4. Participate in the Expert in the Library Promotion. Everyone who posts to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #expertinthelibrary between Saturday, April 8 at noon CT and Saturday, April 15 at noon CT will be entered in a random drawing for the chance to a $100 gift card.
5. Add your reason to our “I Heart the Library Because…” display. You will find this outside Youth Services on the first floor of the library.

During National Library Week 2016, ALA asked libraries from around the world to submit video responses to the question: “What does transformation look like at your library?” View the answer they gave in the video below.

How about you? In what ways has your local library transformed your life or the life of your community?