National Library Week: Thursday, April 8, is Take Action for Libraries Day

Today, Thursday, April 8, is Take Action for Libraries Day. 

 

The Birmingham Public Library continues its celebration of National Library Week, which kicked off Sunday, April 4, and concludes this Saturday, April 10.

Today, Thursday, April 8, is Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries. The American Library Association calls on the public to join library advocates across the country in calling on elected officials to keep #LibrariesStrong with robust federal and local funding, and to spread the word in how libraries help communities succeed and thrive. 

On Wednesday, April 7, BPL hosted a Food Truck Rally and BPL Friends Bookstore sale in the Central Library parking lot as part of #LibraryGivingDay, a day-long fundraising campaign to raise money for libraries nationwide. 

 The 2021 theme for National Library Week, “Welcome to Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome to use their services. 

 National Library Week celebrates the important role libraries play in cities big and small across the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries have been going above and beyond to adapt to our changing world by expanding their resources and continuing to meet the needs of their users.

Whether people visit in person or virtually, libraries offer opportunities for everyone to explore new worlds and become their best selves through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs. 

 Since COVID-19 changed the world in March 2020, BPL has implemented new innovative virtual programs such as Read-In for Justice and switched popular programs such as Bards & Brews to a virtual format. Many story time programs have also gone online on BPL's social media pages.

Remember, all 18  Birmingham Public Library locations are open across the city. For dates, library operating times, phone numbers and locations, click here.  

 Here are other celebrations  day by day during National Library Week, which ends Saturday: 

 * Monday, April 5: 2021 State of America's Libraries Report was released, including Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2020. 

 * Tuesday, April 6: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

 * Wednesday, April 7: National Library Outreach Day, (formerly National Bookmobile Day) - This is a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. 

* Thursday, April 8: National Take Action for Libraries Day (detailed above)

* Friday, April 9: Share I Love Libraries stories.

* Saturday, April 10: Giving Thanks on the Last Day of National Library Week. Thank everyone for supporting libraries this week, rather through giving, volunteering or words of encouragement for libraries in our communities.