Celebrate National Library Week (April 23-29, 2023) with the theme "There's More to the Story."
Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more. But there's so much more to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. National Library Week 2023 will be a great time to tell your library’s multi-faceted story.
Ways to Participate Celebration Days Free Tools
I am so honored to serve as honorary chair of National Library Week for 2023! As a young immigrant child, I came to this country when I was six years old with no English. I know firsthand that there’s so much more to the story when it comes to libraries, just like there’s more to my story. I am the product of amazing libraries and librarians, who saw me, supported me, and nurtured me. Through books, movies, games, giveaways, and engaging programming, I found the courage to go for my dreams. So it is with the greatest joy that I join ALA in celebrating libraries everywhere and all they do to inspire, invigorate, and lift up communities!
— Kelly Yang
How to Celebrate
1. Visit your library.
National Library Week is the perfect time to visit your library. Many libraries have special events planned for the week. Bring the kids or invite your friends. Meet the librarians. Check out books or other great items in your library's collection or attend a program. Take time to learn your library's story during National Library Week to see all it has to offer!
2. What's your library story? Tell us for the chance to win.
National Library Week Honorary Chair Kelly Yang found the courage to pursue her dreams through access to resources at her childhood library and the support of librarians. What role has the library played in your life?
Did you find inspiration in a book? Get help finding a job or starting a business? Have you made new friends at the library?
Tell us by posting to Instagram, Twitter, or on the I Love Libraries Facebook page. Use the hashtag #MyLibraryStory. We'll gather all the entries and one randomly selected winner will receive a $150 Visa gift card and a Kelly Yang Front Desk poster. Three second-place winners will receive Kelly Yang Front Desk posters. The promotion starts Sunday, April 23 at noon CT and ends on Friday, April 28 at noon CT. Don’t forget to tag your library!
If you love your library, help us make some noise during National Library Week. There's never been a more important moment to show your support.
Help spread the word about the #MyLibraryStory promotion by sharing these graphics on social media:
Twitter/Facebook | Instagram
4. Follow your library, ALA, and I Love Libraries on social media.
Be sure to follow your library on social media so you don't miss out on all they have to offer.
Post one of our available graphics to your social media account and join the conversation by using the hashtags #NationalLibraryWeek.
Don't forget to follow the American Library Association and I Love Libraries on social media!
ALA accounts: Twitter: @ALALibrary | Facebook: @AmericanLibraryAssociation | Instagram: @americanlibraryassociation
I Love Libraries: Twitter: @IloveLibraries | Facebook @ILoveLibraries
Celebration Days During National Library Week
Monday, April 24: Right to Read Day is a National Day of Action in support of the right to read. The State of America's Libraries Report is released, including Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2022.
Tuesday, April 25: National Library Workers Day, a day for everyone to recognize the valuable contributions made by library workers.
Wednesday, April 26: National Library Outreach Day, a day the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.
Thursday, April 27: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to urge members of Congress to protect the freedom to read.
Free National Library Week Tools
Sample Press Release (Word doc) | Sample Press Release in Spanish (Word doc)
Proclamation (Word doc) | Proclamation in Spanish
8.5 x 11" Mini-poster with room to customize (PDF)
There's More to the Story Coloring Sheets courtesy of Pennsylvania school librarian Alanna Justice
Social Media Graphics
Instagram Template | Instagram Story Template | Facebook Template
Showcase your library's collections and programs with this customizable Canva template.
You'll need to create an account to use the templates, but a free version is available.
Not familiar with Canva? Check out these tutorials.
Instagram Share in English | Instagram Share in Spanish
Facebook Share in English | Facebook Share in Spanish
Facebook Cover Art in English | Facebook Cover Art in Spanish
Twitter Share in English | Twitter Share in Spanish
Twitter Header in English | Twitter Header in Spanish
Banner in English (1500x450px) | Banner in Spanish
There's More to the Story poster, bookmarks, and mini-poster file are available at the ALA Store.
Kelly Yang's Front Desk poster, bookmarks, and library card art are available at the ALA Store. Grab a t-shirt with the National Library Week theme, "There's More to the Story," at the ALA Graphics Gift Shop.
About Kelly Yang
Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books for young readers, including the Front Desk series: Front Desk, Three Keys, Room to Dream, Key Player and Top Story, New From Here, and Finally Seen. Front Desk won the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature and was chosen as a Best Book of the Year by multiple organizations, including NPR, the Washington Post, and the New York Public Library. Kelly’s family immigrated to the United States from China when she was a young girl, and she grew up in California, in circumstances very similar to those of Mia Tang. After attending college at the age of 13, she graduated UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School. She is the founder of The Kelly Yang Project, a leading writing and debating program for children in Asia and the United States. Her writing has been published in South China Morning Post,The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. To learn more about Kelly and her books, visit kellyyang.com.
About National Library Week
National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life."
In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!" The 2023 celebration marks the 65th anniversary of the first event.
Read more about the history of National Library Week at American Libraries magazine, and check out the list of past National Library Week themes.
Future National Library Week dates:
National Library Week is made possible by:
Thank you to Scholastic for supporting Kelly Yang's efforts as National Library Week Honorary Chair.
Thank you to ALA Library Champions for supporting ALA’s efforts in raising public awareness for libraries and librarians.