National Library Week (April 23 - 29, 2023) is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and support. The theme for National Library Week 2023 is "There's More to the Story," illustrating the fact that in addition to the books in library collections, available in a variety of formats, libraries offer so much more. Jacksonville Public Library has a Memory Lab where you can digitize your old photos, videos, and films, and throughout the system there are several art galleries and exhibits, tabletop games, video games, jigsaw puzzles, crafting stations, and more. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. And library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.
The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2022
Nominate a Stellar Library Worker
Who is your favorite library worker, or someone at the library who helped you solve a problem or use the library a little more easily? Click the button below to nominate them for a star in the ALA-APA's National Library Worker's Day Galaxy of Stars!
National Library Week events
Monday, April 24: Right to Read Day, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. State of America's Libraries Report released.
Tuesday, April 25: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.
Wednesday, April 26: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.
Thursday, April 27: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries.
Mayor Lenny Curry's Proclamation
Mayor Lenny Curry and the Jacksonville Public Library encourage residents to celebrate National Library Week. Stay tuned to the City and Jacksonville Public Library’s social media channels for highlights and updates throughout the week. View the mayor’s proclamation for National Library Week.
History
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed in libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries - school, public, academic, and special - participate.
In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life. "With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!"
