Hello fellow iSchool classmates and ALASC members who, like me, have no experience working in a library setting. I recently sat down with Library Week to learn more.
Q: Hello, Library Week 2022 when will you be happening this year?
A: The first week of April from the 3rd-9th.
Q: What is your motto this year?
A: What’s the motto with reading? Kidding! The motto is “Connect With Your Library”. The past couple years have refocused attention on the myriad ways libraries connect people to information across platforms both online and in-person. What better way to highlight what libraries are doing and expanding upon in addition to providing reading materials?
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: The National Book Committee, a partnership between the ALA and the American Book Publishers, established National Library Week in 1958 to encourage Americans to read in their free time. Since 1975, ALA has been the sole sponsor. National celebrations tend to have local origins, and some libraries were holding their own versions of a celebratory library event before 1958.
Q: Have you ever met anyone famous?
A: Not to brag or anything but every year there is an honorary celebrity chair. This year it is comedian Molly Shannon, whose mom was a librarian. See the list of past honorary chairs.
Q: Do you have anything interesting planned for this week?
A: It is a full week. Tuesday celebrates all the fabulous people who work in libraries for National Library Workers Day. Wednesday will focus on outreach and bringing the library to where the people are for National Library Outreach Day (we used to call it National Bookmobile Day).
Q: What are some ways others can engage with Library Week?
A: Showing support for your local library or all libraries is always important. During Library Week, Thursday is Take Action for Libraries Day, promoting engagement with elected officials on library funding to continue the support and growth that libraries provide to our communities. #FundLibraries
Q: What is something you are looking forward to this week?
A: With the increase in book challenges across the nation the past year, I am excited about the Monday release of the Top 10 Banned Books of 2021 List in the State of America’s Libraries Report. Banned Books Week and I have a friendly wager as to who has read more of those listed books.
Q: How can we celebrate with you?
A: Every library chooses what works best for them. Some highlight local features while others have a broader focus about the importance of libraries in our lives and communities. This year is about the many ways libraries connect people to each other and to information through technology, programs, classes, and ideas. What new or old ways make your library an awesome part of its community?
Q: Do you have any pet peeves?
A: April is School Library Month. I get a week for all libraries including school libraries. Not complaining about school libraries, but did you see how busy my week is? Imagine if I had a whole month for exhibits, activities, and engagement. Maybe, a collaboration with School Library Month is in my future.
Q: Have you been in any movies?
A: The best way to find that out is to join the ALASC Libraries in Movies Trivia Night on Thursday, April 7th at 6:30pm.
Hopefully you enjoyed learning about Library Week and will be engaging in activities this week.
Best,
Jenn