National Library Week
Millions of people visit their libraries every week. What's the draw? Everything. During National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025, take time to discover (or rediscover) what draws people in.
- Visit your library and bring friends or family along.
- Encourage a friend to get a library card—it’s a simple act that opens up a world of opportunity.
- Browse the shelves, join a book club, or attend a storytime. Sketch out your next creative project in a makerspace, hear from an inspiring author, or find expert help with research, job hunting, or tracing your family roots. Libraries connect us to ideas, information, and each other—and they’re built for everyone.
Honorary Chairs Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud urge everyone to visit their library during National Library Week.
This National Library Week, libraries need your support more than ever. Book challenges and censorship efforts are still on the rise, and federal funding is under threat. These challenges don’t just impact libraries—they impact all of us.
This year, we’re asking you to show up at your library—and show up for your library.
- Contact your members of Congress by phone or email and ask them to protect federal library funding.
- Sign up to receive advocacy alerts.
- Become a Supporter of the American Library Association.
Stand with your community to defend the freedom to read and celebrate what makes libraries essential.
Celebration Days During National Library Week
Monday, April 7: Right to Read Day, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2023.
Tuesday, April 8: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.
Wednesday, April 9: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.
Thursday, April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries. Make sure to take one of these actions and then pass along ala.org/ShowUp to encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to act alongside you.
Free Tools to Celebrate
National Library Week Proclamation (Word doc)
National Library Week Proclamation in Spanish (Word doc)
National Library Week Sample Press Release (Word doc)
National Library Week Sample Press Release in Spanish (Word doc)
More social media graphics and other free assets will be available soon!
Social Media Graphics
"Stories and art draw us together, inspiring all of us to discover our own unique talents. Libraries are essential to that process—now more than ever!"
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.
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.
Check out the poster, customizable mini-poster, and bookmarks featuring original artwork from Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud available at the ALA Store.
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.
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.
