National Library Week 2012: “You belong @ your library”

April 30, 2012

Communities across the U.S. celebrated the valuable contributions of the nation’s libraries during National Library Week (NLW), April 8–14. This year’s theme was “You belong @ your library.” From flash mob reading and author events to mock cake decorating and bookmobile programs, NLW and each special designated day during the weeklong observance brought a variety of events to libraries nationwide.

Teens at Loudoun County (Va.) Public Library express their reasons for being library customers on T-shirts that state why they belong at the library.

New Sacramento (Calif.) Public Library posters are part of a public awareness campaign using the NLW theme. The library is the 2012 $3,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant recipient. The money was also used to create new public transit signs and window clings targeting the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

More than 300 community members and staff from Poudre River Public Library District in Fort Collins, Colorado, enjoy a 15-minute break with their favorite books, e-readers, and magazines during a Flash Mob Reading event for Drop Everything and Read Day April 12, part of NLW.

Author T. Jefferson Parker (seated left) joins staff from Carlsbad (Calif.) City Library after a talk about his book Iron River, also depicted in a book cake, during the 8th Carlsbad Reads Together event April 14.

Drummer boy William Wyman provides music during the Civil War Encampment at Cecil County (Md.) Public Library's Perryville branch April 14. The event is part of the library's yearlong programming celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in Maryland. Photo credit: Katelyn Thomas Photography

A student prepares to get her picture taken at the John Peace Library at the University of Texas at San Antonio photo booth April 11, part of the weeklong Smartphone-based scavenger challenge. Photos were posted on Facebook and those who tagged themselves were entered into a prize drawing.

Ryan Beasley ( left) and Keisha White show off their winning Most Original cake during the Second Annual Boss of Cakes Competition April 10 at Newport News (Va.) Public Library System's Pearl Bailey branch. Youth ages 8-18 competed in the event by creating giant birthday cakes using boxes and other craft materials.

Mary Poppins and Abraham Lincoln, depicted by St. Ambrose University Library staffers, stage a mock battle during Dress Like a Literary Character Day at the Davenport, Iowa, university. Other events inlcuded the 11th annual Paper Plane Flying Contest and a life-sized Angry Birds game.

Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Public Library's bookmobile was on hand for

One State’s Experience at National Library Legislative Day

Library supporters bring their concerns to Capitol Hill for face-to-face meetings

Building the Shelfless Library

Latest Library Links

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Leigh Kunkel writes: “The legalization of marijuana in many states and municipalities in recent years has created a newly legal industry and budding entrepreneurs who can benefit from the expertise of business librarians. As soon as Washington state introduced an initiative to legalize recreational cannabis use in 2012, Seattle Public Library librarian Jay Lyman started fielding questions from potential entrepreneurs. Since then, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis use, and 14 more have legalized medical use of cannabis. This cultural shift brings a new opportunity for libraries to step in with support services.”

American Libraries Trend, Mar./Apr.
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ALA launched its “Reader. Voter. Ready.” campaign, calling on advocates to sign a pledge to be registered, informed, and ready to vote in all local, state, and federal elections in 2024. Available resources include a 2024 voter engagement guide for libraries, a tip sheet to share with community leaders and partners, highlighting the ways libraries support voter participation and education, and a one-pager, “Voters Count on Libraries: The Numbers,” illustrating libraries as centers of civic lift and patron engagement with library services. ALA is collaborating with partners to provide nonpartisan resources and learning opportunities for librarians.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Apr. 10
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Joyce McIntosh writes: “Each year the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) distributes Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund Programming Grants to organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during Banned Books Weeks. Grants are awarded for $1,000 and applications are accepted through April 30. FRTF also offers the annual Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship for library school students and new professionals to attend ALA’s Annual Conference. The scholarship provides conference registration, transportation, six nights of housing, and a $300 stipend for meals and other expenses. The application deadline is April 26.”

Freedom to Read Foundation, Mar. 28, 29
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Bobbi L. Newman writes: “Psychological safety, a term coined to describe an environment where individuals feel free to express their thoughts without fear of repercussion, is not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for workplace wellbeing. It fosters innovation, encourages the sharing of ideas, and supports mental health. Librarians can struggle with psychological safety because we prefer the veneer of niceness over almost all else. We often conflate niceness with kindness. It is hard to have psychological safety when teammates are afraid to express thoughts and be their authentic selves because any type of nonconformity is perceived as not nice.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 5
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Joy DuBose writes: “Many people remember playing the original Oregon Trail in school to learn about the historical Oregon Trail and the tribulations of those who traveled it. But, unless you are familiar with games or know what to look for, you may not know what is currently available or how games have changed. Many games were created with education in mind, and there are a great deal more entertainment games that can also be used for education.” Examples include Super Algebrawl, Turing Complete, Kerbal Space Program, and even Stardew Valley.

Choice 360 LibTech Insights, Apr. 8
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“In 2022, as part of Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC), ALA launched a grant opportunity for hundreds of small and rural libraries looking to better serve the needs of patrons with disabilities. [Nonprofit research organization] Knology has been analyzing reports by LTC libraries to share what they are learning with the field. By hosting conversations with neurodivergent members of their communities, LTC libraries have been learning how to take into account their specific needs and priorities. Below, we draw on LTC libraries’ interim report data to present three priorities that neurodivergent patrons expressed wanting to see addressed at their library.”

Programming Librarian, Apr. 5
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Kelly Jensen writes: “Despite the fact that librarians are among the most trusted professionals, lawmakers across the country continue to infantilize and criminalize library workers. Louisiana continues these efforts in an ongoing move by politicians in the state to damage public libraries with House Bill (H.B.) 777. H.B. 777 was introduced March 25 by Louisiana Rep. Kellee Hennessee Dickerson (R-Denham Springs), who helped fund the Louisiana Freedom Caucus. The bill would criminalize library workers and libraries for [‘in any way expending public funds to or with’] the American Library Association.” The penalty is up to a $1,000 fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.

Book Riot, Apr. 3