On behalf of the whole town, we wish our friends at the Hinsdale Public Library a Happy National Library Week!
The celebration is underway and runs through Saturday. Recognized since 1958, it’s a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers.
The American Library Association has chosen “Connect with Your Library” for this year’s theme to promote libraries’ technology resources as well as their broad selection of media, programs, ideas, and classes, in addition to books, that invite people to connect with new worlds. Most importantly libraries also connect communities to each other.
Here some ways to spread some library love.
• The week kicked off with the release of the State of America’s Libraries Report, highlighting the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2021 and the unprecedented number of attempts to ban books last year, specifically 729 challenges to more than 1,597 individual books.
In response, ALA initiated a national campaign to Unite Against Book Bans. If you agree that individual parents should not be making reading decisions for other parents’ children, join the campaign and share why you’re opposed to book bans in school and public libraries by posting using the hashtag #UniteAgainstBookBans.
• Participate in the #MyLibrary promotion on social media. Hinsdale Public Library visitors can pick up a coloring sheet to take home or leave a note letting staff know what the library means to them. Patrons who post library praise using the hashtag #MyLibrary — and tag Hinsdale Public Library — will be entered into a national contest.
Did you find a great book? Get access to computers? Attend a great program or storytime? Did you make new friends at the library’s book club? Let the world know by posting to Instagram, Twitter or on the I Love Libraries Facebook page. All the entries will be collected and one randomly selected winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card. The promotion continues through noon on Saturday, April 9.
As National Library Week Honorary Chair Molly Shannon says, “Libraries are places where communities connect — to things like broadband, computers, programs and classes, books, movies, video games and more.”
If you love your library, say it loud and proud: vocal community support helps libraries secure much-needed funding and reminds hardworking library staff that their efforts are appreciated. Participating in the #MyLibrary promotion is a quick, easy way to help your library thrive!
• Be sure to follow the Hinsdale Public Library on social media so you don’t miss out on all they have to offer, including the most reliable information about keeping your family safe during these uncertain times. Check out the Out & About listing each week in this publication to find out what programs the library is offering. From the Piggy Bank Pageant imparting basic money concepts to children to the Voyagers Travel Discussion Club sharing wisdom on planning that next trip to AP test study groups to help high schoolers perform their best, the library truly has something for everybody. And you might want to check out a book while you’re there.