Find Your Joy at the Library

This week - April 19 to April 25 - is National Library Week and this year's theme is "Find Your Joy". What a marvelous theme because I feel happy every time I walk through the doors of my local library. Maybe because of the new books I'll be checking out but often because of the welcoming smiles of my local librarians or an interesting event happening at my library.

If you're in the mood to celebrate National Library Week, I'm sure your local library would love a visit from you - either in person or virtually. Visit their social media pages to see what's happening next at your library. Want something more specific? Well, they do have a few special mini-celebrations within library week:

Right to Read Day

Monday is the day to celebrate our Right to Read. Why not mark it by checking out the list of banned and challenged books? And if you have one, wear your Read Banned Books t-shirt or pin.

National Library Workers Day

On Tuesday, take a moment to thank the folks who keep your library running - librarians and clerks, administrators, maintenance, volunteers. Or better yet, join your Friends of the Library group so you can lend a hand throughout the year.

National Library Outreach Day

On Wednesday is to celebrate the folks who go out into their communities, bringing the library to readers who can't always get to the actual building.

Take Action for Libraries Day

Get your pen (virtual or real) out on Thursday to advocate for more support of libraries. If you want to send an email to your elected officials telling them that you support your library being censorship free, you can find all the contact info you need HERE

Enter the Contest

And now, the most fun of all: put on your creative hat and show us what brings you library joy! You can express your feelings with a drawing, photo, essay, poem, song, comic...anything creative. You have to enter your submission by April 25 and you could win a $150 Visa gift card or a READ poster. Find all the rules and submission link.