A Time to Celebrate Libraries! By Mariana C. Glenn-Toland and Marcella Kingman
While libraries serve as hubs for resources year-round, April 19, 2026, to April 25, 2026, marks the 68th celebration of National Library Week. National Library Week was born as a response to research in the 1950s that indicated Americans were investing less time and finances into reading. In an effort to promote reading and encourage support for local libraries, National Library Week was first celebrated in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read”. The theme for the 2026 celebration of National Library Week is “Find Your Joy”. This year’s theme is an inclusive invitation for individuals to discover what sparks their joy at local libraries. While this year’s weekly theme is “Find Your Joy”, Monday-Thursday of the week have a particular focus. Specifically, April 20th has been deemed “Right to Read Day”, April 21st has been identified as “National Library Workers Day”, April 22nd’s focus is “National Library Outreach Day”, and April 23rd marks “Take Action for Libraries Day”. While many libraries may have specific programs in alignment with the overall theme or various focuses, services provided outside of this week continue these efforts throughout the year. Here are three ways that libraries continuously uphold the efforts of National Library Week:
Accessible Media
When you think of libraries, thoughts of traditional hardcover or paperback books may initially come to mind. However, in alignment with the shift of our times, libraries provide access to ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through partnering with platforms such as Libby by Overdrive. By connecting your library card to the Libby platform on a phone, tablet, or even on a computer, library card holders are able to access their library’s collection of online materials without having to physically be in the library. Similarly, libraries partner with streaming services such as Hoopla to give community members access to additional forms of media, including TV shows and movies. In essence, libraries have diversified how patrons are able to access various forms of media beyond reading materials.
Diverse Programming
Have you ever needed or wanted to learn a new skill and been unsure of where to start your deep dive? It could be worth checking your local library, as libraries offer an assortment of workshops for community members. These workshops include a range of topics such as life skills, career development, entrepreneurship, creative writing, gardening, financial literacy, and various crafts. In addition to workshops, libraries host a variety of different classes. Examples of the different types of classes include meditation, yoga, geriatric fitness, language, and computer skills. Alongside classes, library programming includes invitations for library attendees to explore book clubs. While some book clubs may focus on a selected book, other book clubs are more community-focused, allowing readers to connect over the act of reading while selecting their book of choice. On the other hand, many libraries also host activity-based events such as game nights where individuals can connect with others over playing different kinds of board games such as Scrabble, chess, and mahjong. Essentially, through diverse programming, libraries strategically extend their reach in communities. If you are interested in what kinds of events North Carolina libraries host, here are links to event pages of libraries across North Carolina:
Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries
Forsyth County Public Libraries
Community Building
By providing access to computers, printers, WiFi, meeting spaces, and collections of information, libraries support communities by serving as a gateway to resources for community members. Libraries operate as access points to invest in the well-being of community members, which influences community building through ripple effects. From another perspective, libraries present opportunities for patrons to establish community by providing programming that connects individuals with shared interests or even experiences. So, in a multifaceted way, libraries help communities to build within themselves by presenting chances to utilize resources and form connections.
While National Library Week in April provides a specific invitation to celebrate libraries and librarians, through providing access to different media forms, diverse programming, and community-building moments, libraries warrant celebration and support year-round. In other words, it is always an appropriate time to celebrate libraries! Whether you want to commit to supporting National Library Week specifically or libraries generally, visiting your local library can be a way to invest in your wellness by simultaneously exploring your interests and community. For more information on National Library Week and services that local libraries generally provide, check out the following links:
What Do Libraries Do?: 7 Services Your Public Library (Probably) Offers
10 Ways Public Libraries Make Our Lives Better | Blog | Independent Lens
What Services Do Libraries Typically Offer? – Library & Information Science Education Network
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