This week celebrates National Library Week across America. The theme for National Library Week 2021 is “Welcome to Your Library.”
During the pandemic, library workers continue to meet demands from community members and adapt their resources and services to meet needs of patrons. Regardless if the visit is in person or virtually, libraries offer a vast array of opportunities to transform lives through education and lifelong learning.
First held 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.
Growing up, our county library was a magical, wonderful place I loved to visit. Everything from the heavy doors and the aroma of books and furniture polish to the adventures awaiting me in a book I had yet to read, I looked forward to each and every visit, which happened once or twice a month. Typically, I checked out the maximum number of books allowed and couldn’t wait to get home and start reading them. The librarians were people I got to know over the years and they were always so kind to a girl who absolutely adored books.
Actress, author, and activist Natalie Portman is lending her star power to shine a spotlight on our nation’s libraries as the honorary chair of National Library Week 2021. She will help highlight the essential role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in serving their communities, especially during challenging times.
Learn more about the celebration on the American Library Association’s website.
2 Responses
My mother was a librarian! She worked in both public schools and university libraries. For several years she ran a large public library located in a hospital. She would take a book and magazine cart to the floors for staff and patients. This was the perfect place for her serving heart. We miss her, as well as her books!!
That is so neat about your mother. Oh, I bet she knew all the best books to read. What a wonderful career for her, and so kind of her to serve in the hospital. Those books and magazines mean so much to patients and staff. Thank you for sharing that with us. And thank you to your mother for sharing a love of books with so many.