This week is National Library Week! Find the Library at Your Place by visiting our website to access free eBooks, movies, music, resources, and so much more. Participate in celebrating your library by following us on social media and share the FDL digital entertainment and educational resources you value with the hashtags #FondulacLibrary, #FindtheLibraryatYourPlace, and #NationalLibrariesWeek.
“National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee’s goals were ambitious. They ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.”
In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!” The 2018 celebration marked the 60th anniversary of the first event.” – American Library Association
Read more about the 60-year history of National Library Week at American Libraries magazine, and check out the list of past National Library Week themes.
Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.
