National Library Week
National Library Week 2025: Drawn to the Library!
Millions of people across the country visit their libraries every week. What’s the draw? Everything.
From young families stopping in for play and storytime, to students sketching out their next creative project in a makerspace, to seniors seeking tech help and everyone in between, libraries of all kinds help us connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next. Chart your next literary adventure by browsing the stacks or joining a book club. Let an author color your imagination at an author talk, outline your big business idea at an entrepreneur workshop, or trace your history with your library’s genealogy resources. Make your mark and get involved with your library by volunteering or spreading the word.
Whatever draws you in, the library has something for everyone. Celebrate National Library Week, April 6 - 12, 2025.
Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud are Honorary Chairs
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of National Library Week 2025.
Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
Telgemeier and McCloud have partnered to create a one-of-a-kind graphic novel, The Cartoonists Club, coming from Scholastic’s Graphix imprint on April 1, 2025.
Their book tells the story of Makayla, who is bursting with ideas but doesn’t know how to make them into a story, and Howard, who loves to draw but struggles to come up with ideas. These two new friends, shy Lynda and inventive Art, come together to form The Cartoonists Club. Their beloved school librarian helps them discover the magic of comics, imagination, and their own storytelling powers. The result is a book where friendship is a work of art.
“I’m thrilled to be a co-chair of National Library Week because I know the importance of kids and communities gathering to share their individual types of creativity and inspire each other. When Scott and I were working on The Cartoonists Club, that’s exactly what we had in mind. We wanted readers to know we all have talents, and together, we can overcome challenges to fully express ourselves. Libraries help so many people to find their unique talents.”
—Raina Telgemeier
“I agree wholeheartedly. The Cartoonists Club is a graphic novel for kids, but the message is for anyone who's ever struggled to find the courage to express themselves. Raina and I are excited to show our readers how stories and art can bring people together, and libraries are critical to that process—now more than ever! I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate that partnership during National Library Week and beyond.”
—Scott McCloud
Free tools to celebrate National Library Week 2025 will be available later in the winter. In the meantime, be sure to check out the poster, customizable mini-poster, and bookmarks featuring original artwork from Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud.
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 2024 celebration marked the 66th 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.
National Library Week will be celebrated April 19-25 in 2026.
About Raina Telgemeier
Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award–winning creator of Smile, Sisters, and Guts, which are all graphic memoirs based on her childhood. She is also the creator of Drama and Ghosts, the adapter and illustrator of the first four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, and, with Scott McCloud, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Facing Feelings: The Art of Raina Telgemeier is a companion catalog for an exhibition held at The Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Telgemeier lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more, visit her online at goraina.com.
About Scott McCloud
Scott McCloud is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art; Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels; Zot!; and The Sculptor. He is also, with Raina Telgemeier, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Scott is a frequent lecturer on the power of visual communication, creator of the international 24-hour comic movement, and, in 2021, was inducted into the Will Eisner Awards Hall of Fame. He lives with his family in Oregon. McCloud’s art and stories are available in more than 30 languages and on the web at scottmccloud.com.
Sponsors
Thank you to ALA Library Champions for supporting ALA’s efforts in raising public awareness for libraries and librarians.
Thank you to Scholastic for supporting Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud as 2025 National Library Week Honorary Chairs. They are the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children's media. Check out all the graphic novels available through Scholastic's Graphix Imprint.
