National Library Week: You belong @ your library

CHICAGO — From snapshot days to visual poetry events, libraries are gearing up and reminding people across the country and in their communities that during National Library Week and throughout the year the place you belong is at your library.

Here are just a few programs that libraries are holding to promote the You belong @ your library theme.
Stillwater (Okla.) Public Library reminds library users that the strength of libraries is the diversity of their collections and their unwavering commitment to serve all people. To showcase this idea, the library  will celebrate Library Snapshot Day on April 9.  Residents of Stillwater are invited to stop by the library to have their  photo taken and  share the story of how they use the library and how the library impacts their community.  The library also encourages those who cannot attend to share their stories and photos on the library's website or Facebook page.

Whether library users have a preference for e-books or traditional hard covers and paperbacks, the Purcellville (Va.) Library branch of the Loudoun County Public wants users to know that You belong @ your library. During National Library Week the library will train patrons on how they can use the resources at the library to access new books for their e-readers and tablets.

During National Library Week, the St. Clair County (Mich.) Library System will use the You belong @ your library theme to showcase what the library has for everyone in the community. Each day of the week is designed to showcase a different group in the community, including teens, kids, men, women, seniors and families.  Each group will be presented with a small gift on their particular day.

The Alpha Park Public Library of Bartonville, Ill. will celebrate its 3rd Annual National Library Week Art Contest. Participants are asked to bring in a piece of their own artwork that demonstrates the National Library Week theme You Belong @ your library, as well as express how they feel they belong at the library.  Prizes will be awarded to the best in show for children, teens and adults.

The Cedar Lake Branch of the Lake County (Ind.) Public Library asks young library users to create a visual poem that expresses the National Library Week theme You belong @ your library.  The poems will be made using pictures and words cut from old magazines and other art supplies. 

Librarians still looking for ways to promote National Library Week are encouraged to check out the free resources on the National Library Week website. Resources include two audio, print, Web and video public service announcements featuring author, TV host and Honorary Chair of National Library Week, Brad Meltzer. All PSAs are available for download, and the print PSA is also available for customization for libraries.

Other promotional materials include a sample op-ed, proclamation, press release, programming ideas and scripts for use in radio ads. All incorporate the 2012 National Library Week theme, You belong @ your library.

Librarians can purchase ALA Graphics products supporting National Library Week, including a poster, bookmark and mini-poster, as well as downloadable Web files and high resolution art files, from the ALA Store.

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.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries (www.ala.org/@yourlibrary) is ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions.