Celebrate National Library Week with the Birmingham Public Library, April 13–19

Vulcan Park and Museum mascot "V" signs the Declaration for the Right to Libraries. 

To celebrate National Library Week, which is April 13–19, 2014, the Birmingham Public Library is asking the public to sign a declaration of support for libraries. The effort is part of a national campaign known as Declaration for the Right to Libraries, launched by the American Library Association. The campaign is simply a good-faith effort to show how important libraries are in empowering and building communities, strengthening families, and changing lives.

Libraries around the country are collecting signatures this month. Organizers will send the signatures to Congress in early May to demonstrate how committed citizens are to libraries. Already, the Birmingham Public Library system has collected hundreds of signatures, including those of Mayor William A. Bell, Sr., several city leaders, and more. Patrons have expressed strong support of the campaign, saying they love their libraries.

Citizens may visit any library in Jefferson County and ask to sign the Declaration for the Right to Libraries. Or they may go online and sign by visiting www.ilovelibraries.org/declaration/sign.

For more information, visit http://www.bplonline.org/programs/Declaration.aspx.