Happy National Library Week from Gleeson Library|Geschke Center! National Library Week acknowledges the importance of libraries, library services, library staff, and library users (like you!).
According to the American Library Association,
“First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate.”
You can read more about the history of National Library Week (and view photos of some NLW “promotional material through the ages” here.
The theme of the first NLW was “Wake Up and Read.” The theme of this year’s 60th annual national celebration is “Libraries Lead.” Misty Copeland, best selling author and principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre, is the week’s honorary chair.
Libraries and librarians have been important trailblazers throughout history (checkout the stories of the WPA packhorse librarians, or librarian Regina Anderson, who worked at the Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library during the Harlem Renaissance, for example), navigating the information landscape to bring books, information, resources, connections, innovative services and delivery models to their users.
Where have libraries led you? Share your thoughts at the library this week, and be sure to stop by the first floor lobby of Gleeson Wednesday at 11:30am for collegiality and coffee with Dean Tyrone Cannon and library staff. Donuts will also be served!