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Celebrate National Library Week: April 6 - 12, 2025: Events

NLW 2025

Celebration Days During National Library Week

National Library Week 2025 will be celebrated Sunday, April 6th through Saturday, April 12th. Days of note during that week are:

Monday, April 7: Right to Read Day is a National Day of Action in support of the freedom to read. The State of America's Libraries Report is released, including the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2024.

Tuesday, April 8: National Library Workers Day, a day for everyone to recognize the valuable contributions made by library workers.

Wednesday, April 9: National Library Outreach Day, a day dedicated to the library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.

Thursday, April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to urge members of Congress to protect the freedom to read.

 

National Library Week 2025: Drawn to the Library!

Millions of people across the country visit their libraries every week. What’s the draw? Everything.

From young families stopping in for play and story time, to students sketching out their next creative project in a makerspace, to seniors seeking tech help and everyone in between, libraries of all kinds help us connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next. Chart your next literary adventure by browsing the stacks or joining a book club. Let an author color your imagination at an author talk, outline your big business idea at an entrepreneur workshop, or trace your history with your library’s genealogy resources. Make your mark and get involved with your library by volunteering or spreading the word.

Whatever draws you in, the library has something for everyone. Celebrate National Library Week, April 6 - 12, 2025!

National Library Week Honorary Chairs Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud. Book Cover: The Cartoonists Club.

American Library Association. (2025, March 7). National Library Week. https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek

"CHICAGO — Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the American Library Association’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025. The week celebrates the important role libraries and library professionals play in schools and communities.

Telgemeier and McCloud have partnered to create a one-of-a-kind graphic novel, “The Cartoonists Club,” coming from Scholastic’s Graphix imprint on April 1, 2025. They were also the opening speakers for ALA’s LibLearnX, The Library Learning Experience for library professionals, in January 2025 in Phoenix, AZ.

Their book tells the story of Makayla, who is bursting with ideas but doesn’t know how to make them into a story, and Howard, who loves to draw but struggles to come up with ideas. These two new friends, shy Lynda and inventive Art, come together to form The Cartoonists Club. Their beloved school librarian helps them discover the magic of comics, imagination, and their own storytelling powers. The result is a book where friendship is a work of art.

“I’m thrilled to be a co-chair of National Library Week because I know the importance of kids and communities gathering to share their individual types of creativity and inspire each other,” Telgemeier said. “When Scott and I were working on ‘The Cartoonists Club,’ that’s exactly what we had in mind. We wanted readers to know we all have talents, and together, we can overcome challenges to fully express ourselves. Libraries help so many people to find their unique talents.”

“I agree wholeheartedly,” McCloud said. “‘The Cartoonists Club’ is a graphic novel for kids, but the message is for anyone who's ever struggled to find the courage to express themselves. Raina and I are excited to show our readers how stories and art can bring people together, and libraries are critical to that process—now more than ever! I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate that partnership during National Library Week and beyond.”

The 67th National Library Week theme is “Drawn to the Library,” to draw communities into the library. The week highlights the importance of libraries of all kinds to the communities they serve. Telgemeier and McCloud illustrated materials for libraries, including posters and a bookmark.

American Library Association. (2025, December 5). Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs [Press release]. https://www.ala.org/news/2024/12/telgemeier-mccloud-chosen-national-library-week-honorary-chairs

Thursday April 10: Take Action for Libraries Day

Library advocates across the country stand united on Take Action for Libraries Day, an annual day of action during National Library Week!  From Congress to local library boards, our elected officials need to hear from library supporters at all levels of government.  This year, advocates are joining together to tell Congress to maintain funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency that funds libraries across the country.  The President issued an executive order on March 14 that seeks to dismantle the IMLS.  Use the link below to contact your legislator and tell them to protect the vital community programs and services that libraries provide. 

Fight Back Against Library Cuts:  https://app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-page?cid=9CyapZUB9sorxFLO4J0c&lang=en

Get Involved

"As a library patron, you know that the library is the heart and soul of the community. But not everyone gets it. Libraries need people to get involved and spread the word about the value of the library to neighbors, friends, and decision-makers.

Throughout our country's history, it has been through the coordination, hard work, and determination of library-loving people that new libraries have been built, budgets have been restored and increased, and a larger understanding has been generated for the powerful role libraries play in communities, in schools, and on college campuses. Here are some ways you can help your local library thrive.

  • Get a library card. Already have a library card? Bring two friends to the library to sign up for theirs!
  • Vote for candidates who support libraries. Libraries are primarily funded at the local and state level. Stay alert at election time for changes to taxes, levies, or millages that might impact staffing, collections, programs, or services at your library.
  • Stay informed. At the federal level, when it comes to influencing Congress, there’s strength in numbers. Join ALA’s Advocacy List to receive updates about key legislative issues and how to take action."

I Love Libraries. (2025, March 20). Get Involved. https://ilovelibraries.org/take-action-for-our-libraries/