As I’m sure you know, there are specified days, weeks, and months to commemorate various parts of our lives. Some are definitely frivolous – I’m looking at you “National Karaoke Week” – while others are, let’s say, more important.
Today starts what I consider a more important week – “National Library Week.” To kick off the week (April 7-13, 2019), I thought it would be fun to highlight a few ways we can support our local libraries. Here we go…
Visit the library – This is a no-brainer. Even if you just went last week, why not go again this week – just because? Did you know your library keeps a count of how many people enter the building each day? It’s true. I think it would spectacular if those numbers were greater this week than any other.
Say thanks – It might seem simple, but don’t overlook thanking your librarians.
Be a friend – Many libraries have a non-profit Friends of the Library organization. The Friends typically raise money to fund all the fun programs at the library. Story times, art & craft events, author visits, movies, book clubs, and more. It doesn’t take much to help, just a small (or medium, or large) donation to the Friends goes a long way.
Attend – Those events sponsored by the Friends need attendees to make the funding worth it. Your librarians work hard to create programming you’ll like. Why not catch a movie? You might even get popcorn. Are your kids bored over school breaks? Your library probably has kids programming during those weeks. For free!
Get a card – A library card is completely free, and gives you access to resources in the library and online.
Research and learn – Your local library’s website is a treasure trove of information. Depending on what subscriptions your library currently holds, you could research your ancestry, learn a new language, search the archives to find local history, all from your home desk. The more those resources are used through the website, the higher the likelihood of your library keeping those subscriptions and expanding its online resources.
Volunteer – Your library has many volunteer needs. Like to organize? You could sort and shelve books. Like to talk? You could be a conversation partner with a non-native speaker learning English. Like to teach? Your library needs tutors. Like to listen? There are children in your library who need an ear as they practice reading.
Shop local – Many libraries (Friends of the Library) host book sales. These are a great opportunity to support your library while getting some gift shopping done. It’s never a bad time to buy more books, in my humble opinion.
“The world is full of magical places, and the library has always been one of them for me. A library can be that special place for our children.” ~Julie Andrews, actress and Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2008 (ala.org)
How do you like to support you library? Leave me a comment to continue the conversation. 🙂
Moriah Hamm 