Academic Commons News

Ready, Set, National Library Week!

Our favorite week of the year is here: National Library Week! 

From April 7–13, communities across the U.S. will come together for National Library Week, the annual celebration of libraries and library workers. This year's theme, "Ready, Set, Library!" is a call to action for Americans to rediscover libraries' treasure trove of opportunities. 

During this National Library Week, we invite you to check out your Jefferson Libraries library – Dixon, Gutman, or Scott Library. Borrow an anatomical model, projector kit, or other study aid from the Access Services Desk. Stroll through our shelves for leisure/popular books and magazines. Discover old treasures and explore historical stories in our Archives and Special Collections. 

How to participate

Libraries are a public good, and we must champion their cause. Join us in participating in the National Library Week #HowILibrary promotion on social media, where you can share your library experiences and why libraries hold significance for you. If you're lucky, you might win a prize for sharing your library love.

#HowILibrary Promotion

  • Snap a pic or shoot a video showcasing your favorite thing about the library.
  • Post to Threads, X/Twitter, or the I Love Libraries Facebook page with the hashtag #HowILibrary.
  • Remember to tag us (@Jefferson Libraries on Facebook, @SMLibrary_TJU, and @GutmanLibrary on X/Twitter).

What's in it for you? There's a chance to win great prizes:

  • Grand Prize (1 winner): A VISA gift card ($150 USD value) and choice of one ALA Graphics poster.
  • Second Prize (3 winners): Choice of one ALA Graphics poster.

Every day of National Library Week is tailor-made to showcase the totality of the library experience, from their role in fighting for intellectual freedom to the crucial work that libraries and library workers do every day to highlighting the role libraries play in strengthening our democracy. Check out a few of the week's celebrations:

On Monday, April 8, watch for the release of the American Library Association's (ALA) 2024 State of America's Libraries Report, including a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023. Learn how libraries continue to innovate and improve services.

If you can't visit your library in person, National Library Outreach DayWednesday, April 10, provides an opportunity to acknowledge all the ways libraries go out of their way to meet you where you are. 

Let's make this National Library Week one to remember!