First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week (NLW) is a national observance sponsored by the

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members ...

(ALA) and

libraries A library is a collection of Document, materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or electronic media, digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a ...

across the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

each April, typically the second full week. It promotes library use and support. In 1954, a nonprofit National Book Committee was established between the ALA and the American Book Publishers. In 1957, the committee developed the idea for National Library Week, hoping that it would motivate people to read and support libraries. National Library Week occurs in April which is School Library Month. National Library Workers Day (Tuesday of the week), National Bookmobile Day, and Support Teen Literature Day (Thursday of the week) all occur during National Library Week. Each year the week has a new theme. The theme of the first sponsored week in 1954 was "Wake Up and Read!" and 2021's theme is "There's More to the Story." The honorary chair of National Library Week, April 3–9, 2022, was actress, comedian

Molly Shannon Molly Helen Shannon (born September 16, 1964) is an American actress and comedian who was a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1995 to 2001. In 2017, she won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ...

. The American Library Association released th
State of America's Libraries Report
highlighting the challenges U.S. libraries faced in the second year of the pandemic.

Other countries

NLW has spread all to different countries. The first National Library Week of the Jamaica Library Association was held March 6–12, 1966. Australia's Library and Information Week is organized by the

Australian Library and Information Association The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), formerly the Australian Institute of Librarians and Library Association of Australia, is the peak professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector. ...

, and held annually at the end of May. The first Australian Library Week was held in 1968 by the Australian Library Promotion Council. The UK observes Libraries Week. Originally it was a one-day event, National Libraries Day, that began in 2012.

References

External links

Australian Library and Information Week
from the Australian Library and Information Association
National Library Week
from the American Library Association American Library Association Awareness weeks in the United States April observances March observances {{Org-stub