Delaware County Libraries and Delaware County Council Celebrate National Library Week

Released: April 24, 2023

Annual week of appreciation to take place April 23-29

Delaware County Council is excited to join Delaware County Libraries and the American Library Association (ALA) in recognition of National Library Week, celebrated this year from April 23 – 29 by more than 16,000 public libraries across the country. In addition to the county’s 26 member libraries, National Library Week will be celebrated by over 117,000 libraries nationwide, including public, private, and higher education school libraries, government libraries, and armed forces libraries providing materials and enriching educational services to all Americans.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the ALA and is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

This year’s National Library Week theme is “There’s More to the Story” which looks to remind us that while libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks (and more!) there's so much more to the story!

Increasingly, libraries are multi-faceted, adding amazing resources and items that can be lent to the community — items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, tools — and sponsoring programs that bring the community together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and lectures. Library infrastructure advances empower communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs.

Over the past year, Delaware County Library Services, under the direction of Director Catherine Bittle, has continued to expand, launching a new mobile app for residents, DelcoReads, establishing a partnership with Penn State University libraries; rolling out solar charging stations at select locations, and has continued to upgrade and renew technology though the successful awarding of grants and American Rescue Plan funds. To highlight these enhancements and services, Delaware County Libraries has created a short video, available on the County’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMNtdulB20.

During National Library Week, Delaware County Libraries, along with libraries across the nation, will recognize several Celebration Days. Right to Read Day on Monday, April 24, is a National Day of Action in support of the right to read. The State of America's Libraries Report will be released by the ALA, including Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2022. On Tuesday, April 25, National Library Workers Day will be recognized; a day for everyone to recognize the valuable contributions made by our amazing library workers. Delaware County Libraries plans to recognize many long-time library employees—some of whom have worked for libraries for almost 50 years! Additional days of celebration can be found on the ALA website at www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek#Days.

Delaware County Libraries will also be making several announcements on their website and via social media about two exciting new services that will be rolled out in celebration of National Library Week.

How Residents Can Celebrate National Library Week

1. Visit your library! A complete list of Delaware County Library locations and hours of operation can be found at www.delcolibraries.org/our-libraries. All community members are encouraged to visit their local library during National Library Week to explore all they have to offer.


2. Follow Delaware County Libraries’ social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), and the hashtag #National Library Week to join the online celebration.


3. Share Your Library Story. Did you find inspiration in a book? Get help finding a job or starting a business? Have you made new friends at the library?
   
   If you want to share, post to the National Library Week’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ILoveLibraries/), and use the hashtags #MyLibraryStory and #NationalLibraryWeek. Don’t forget to tag your library!


4. Don’t have a library card? Visit any Delaware County library to sign up, or complete an online card registration at https://charlotte.delco.lib.pa.us/selfreg.

About the Delaware County Libraries

Formed in 1981 by Delaware County Council to coordinate the activities among the County’s 26 member libraries, the Delaware County Library System was given a mission to support and enhance the programs and services at the independent libraries, and currently circulates 2.7 million items annually to more than 185,000 Delaware County library-card-carrying members.