Celebrate National Library Week: Discover Your Library Joy

Every April, libraries and schools across the country celebrate National Library Week, where we take the time to recognize the vital role libraries and support staff play in our communities. Sponsored by the American Library Association, this week highlights how libraries can bring people together with information, ideas, and each other.

Celebrating Library Joy

Each National Library Week features an Honorary Chair who helps spotlight the impact libraries have on everyday lives. This year’s chair, Mychal Threets—known for his joyful advocacy and work with Reading Rainbow—is celebrating this year’s theme: library joy. A former librarian himself, he believes that libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are places of connection and discovery. Here he talks about it more:

"I love libraries enthusiastically every week! To serve as Honorary Chair for National Library Week takes that enthusiasm to a whole new level. Celebrating libraries, thanking library workers, visiting libraries is how I find my joy. There are so many library kids and library grown-ups who have yet to fully embrace their library joy, and I am so excited for them! When they enter the world of libraries and stories, I am confident they will find not only their library joy but their courage to believe in their own story and maybe even share it with others."

Library joy can be the excitement of discovering a new book, the satisfaction of learning a new skill, or the simple comfort of a welcoming space where everyone belongs. However you experience it, the library is a place made for the community.

Your Library Joy Stories

We asked our patrons for their library joy stories, and this is what we heard:

"I have moved a few times in my life, & I always check out the library as soon as I can. I was so thrilled when I moved to Springfield and joined the Main Library. It's the nicest & biggest library I've ever lived near. I feel very lucky to live in such a great library system. Springfield, you don't know how lucky you are." 

— Cindy P. | Main Library

"As a kid growing up in Forest Hills, we used the Park Branch exclusively. We only went to the Main Library if we had to do serious research. Now I pretty much exclusively use the Main Library to pick up my hold and browse to see what’s new. I love that they have new books in a certain section, so I can browse my favorite authors easily and see what’s new that they’ve written. I like the way that the paperbacks are arranged so that I can find something to take with me on a business trip."

— Joyce S. | Main Library

"Last year, I began volunteering at the Park Branch for the required hours for school. Since then, I’ve helped with multiple tasks such as programs, setting up for Storytime, prepping Take-and-Make kits, and shelf reading to keep the shelves in order. I have absolutely enjoyed my experience as it allows me to interact with the community and of course, allows me to more easily get books that I want to read!"

— Zoey D. | Park Branch

"My girls and I LOVE our library! We try to attend all the programs they offer. We have made so many great family memories there. Some of our favorite things to do are the Escape Room games that the librarians put together! We always have a blast! We also love the craft times! All of these are great memories, but my favorite thing to check out is the pass for Young’s and Carrilon Park. We pack lunches and have a fun family afternoon playing at Young’s or enjoying the sunshine at Carrilon Park."

— Angela F. | Houston Branch

"Taking my kids and the neighbor kids for lunch during the summer, and having them count the monthly activities. We have always been library members. We also loved seeing the reptiles that came to our library, taking part in the Lego club, and all of the other fun activities."

— Shannon C. | Main Library

 "There’s something about a quiet space like this… it just slows everything down. A place where you can breathe for a second and actually hear your own thoughts again. I found one of the reading nooks and just sat there thinking, "This is what I’ve been missing." In the middle of everything going on in life, it felt like a little reset. Peace and quiet! Libraries have always felt special to me, but this one? It gave me a moment I didn’t even realize I needed. And that kind of joy… it sticks with you!"

— Maria S. | Northridge Branch