First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week, is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association(ALA)and libraries across the nation each April. National Library Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic, and special - participate.
The theme for National Library Week 2024 (April 6-12),"Drawn to the Library," promotes the idea that there are several aspects of a library that draw people to the library. From young families stopping in for play and story time, 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. National Library Week is a time to highlight the essential roles libraries, library staff, and librarians play in transforming lives and strengthening 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 American Library Association (ALA) and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee had very ambitious goals that 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!"
National Library Week was observed again the following year, and the ALA Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship.
