National Library Week 2027

What is National Library Week?

National Library Week is an annual celebration held across the United States, organised by the American Library Association (ALA). In 2027, it runs from Sunday 11 April to Saturday 17 April. The week highlights the essential role libraries play in communities, championing free access to books, technology, and lifelong learning for all.

National Library Week is a week-long observance that spotlights the value of libraries and the professionals who run them. Sponsored by the ALA since 1958, it encourages people of all ages to visit their local library, explore its resources, and advocate for continued public funding. The week also serves as a platform for addressing challenges facing libraries, from budget cuts to book challenges, while celebrating the millions of Americans who rely on library services every day.

When is National Library Week?

National Library Week 2027 takes place from Sunday 11 April to Saturday 17 April. The observance falls in April each year, though the exact dates shift because the ALA selects a specific week annually. It is generally held during the second or third full week of April.

Special Days During National Library Week 2027

The week features several dedicated days, each spotlighting a different facet of library life:

• Right to Read Day (Monday 12 April), a day for readers, advocates, and library supporters to take action in defence of intellectual freedom and the right to access books free from censorship.
• National Library Workers Day (Tuesday 13 April), first celebrated in 2004, this day recognises the expertise, dedication, and hard work of librarians, library assistants, and all library staff.
• National Library Outreach Day (Wednesday 14 April), formerly known as National Bookmobile Day, this celebrates the librarians and programmes that bring resources to communities beyond the library walls, including mobile services, pop-up libraries, and digital outreach.
• Take Action for Libraries Day (Thursday 15 April), the ALA’s annual advocacy push, rallying library supporters to contact elected officials and champion federal funding for library services.

Why National Library Week Matters

Public libraries in the United States serve more than 170 million registered borrowers and welcome roughly 1.3 billion visits each year. They provide far more than books: free internet access, job-search assistance, children’s literacy programmes, digital skills training, and community meeting spaces. For many communities, the library is the only place offering these services at no cost. National Library Week draws attention to this civic infrastructure and reminds policymakers that sustained investment in libraries is an investment in education, equity, and economic opportunity.

The week is also a response to growing challenges. Book challenges and attempts to remove titles from library shelves reached record levels in recent years, making Right to Read Day particularly relevant. By rallying public support, National Library Week strengthens the case for libraries as cornerstones of democratic society.

How to Get Involved in National Library Week

There are plenty of ways to mark the week, whether you are a regular library visitor or have not stepped inside one in years:

• Visit your local library, browse the shelves, attend a storytime, or simply spend an afternoon reading in a quiet space. If you do not already have a library card, this is the perfect week to sign up for one.
• Attend a library event, many branches host author talks, book clubs, craft workshops, coding classes, and film screenings during the week. Check your library’s events calendar for what is on offer.
• Thank a library worker, National Library Workers Day on Tuesday 13 April is the ideal moment to show appreciation. A handwritten note, a social media shout-out, or a word of thanks at the desk goes a long way.
• Advocate for library funding, on Take Action for Libraries Day (Thursday 15 April), contact your local and national representatives to voice support for library budgets. The ALA provides templates and toolkits to make this easy.
• Share on social media, post about your favourite library memory, a book that changed your life, or a programme that helped you. Use the hashtags #NationalLibraryWeek and #FindYourJoy to join the conversation.
• Donate or volunteer, Friends of the Library groups always welcome donations of books, funds, or time. Volunteering at a book sale or helping with a children’s reading programme is a tangible way to give back.
• Explore digital resources, many people do not realise their library card gives them free access to e-books, audiobooks, streaming films, language-learning apps, and online databases. Take the week to discover what is available digitally.

History of National Library Week

The origins of National Library Week stretch back to the mid-1950s, when the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers grew concerned about declining reading rates in the United States. Television was booming, and surveys suggested that Americans were spending more on radios, televisions, and entertainment than on books. In 1954, the two organisations formed a nonprofit called the National Book Committee to tackle the problem.

The committee developed the concept of a dedicated week to promote reading and library use, reasoning that if people could be motivated to read, they would naturally turn to libraries. With support from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was held from 16 to 22 March 1958 under the theme “Wake Up and Read!” More than five thousand municipalities took part, making it an immediate national event.

The celebration returned in 1959, after which the ALA Council voted to make it a permanent annual fixture. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, the ALA assumed full sponsorship and moved the observance to April, where it has remained ever since. Over nearly seven decades, the themes have evolved from straightforward reading promotion (“Be All You Can Be, Read!” in the 1980s) to broader messages about community, access, and intellectual freedom (“Connect with Your Library” in 2004, “Libraries = Strong Communities” in 2016).

Noteworthy Facts About National Library Week

• The first National Library Week in 1958 was held in March, not April. The ALA moved it to April after assuming full sponsorship in 1974.
• There are more than 17,000 public libraries in the United States, including branches, more than the number of McDonald’s restaurants in the country.
• National Library Workers Day was first observed in 2004, created by the ALA-Allied Professional Association to recognise the contributions of all library staff, not just librarians.
• Libraries in the United States circulate approximately 2 billion items each year, including physical books, e-books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other materials.

Hashtags

Related Awareness Days

• International School Library Month, celebrated throughout October, this month-long observance highlights the vital role school libraries play in education and student literacy worldwide.
• World Book Night, held on 23 April each year, World Book Night encourages people to share books and spread the joy of reading within their communities.
• Children’s Book Week, the longest-running national literacy initiative in the United States, celebrated annually in May to promote reading among young people.

Links

• Visit the official National Library Week page at ALA.org
• I Love Libraries, National Library Week
• Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com

Upcoming Awareness Days

22 OctNational Nut Day

22 OctInternational Stammering Awareness Day

22 OctInternational Stammering /Stuttering Awareness Day 2026

22 OctInternational Wombat Day

22 OctPost Polio Syndrome Day 2026

23 OctWear It Pink 2026