Madison Public Library Celebrates National Library Week

posted April 21, 2020 – 9:01pm

Online activities honor the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians

National Library Week is April 19-25, 2020. The theme for National Library Week, “Find Your Place at the Library” was chosen months ago before the emergence of a global pandemic forced most libraries to temporarily close their buildings. Since then, the theme has been updated to “Find the Library at Your Place.” While library doors are closed, Madison Public Library will celebrate by highlighting services and collections throughout the week, and social media posts throughout the course of the week will highlight ways to use the library.

National Library Week was first celebrated in 1958 by the National Book Committee and has since evolved into an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. From assisting with local elections to providing research and communication assistance to citywide efforts during this time of COVID-19 related closures, Madison Public Library is continuing to serve and strengthen our community even while closed.

The week’s activities include:

National Library Workers Day – Tuesday, April 21
National Library Workers Day is April 21, a day for library staff, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Madison Public Library has been sharing social media stories of library staff going above and beyond since libraries closed due to COVID-19. Who at the library has had an impact on your community? Share your stories of staff stepping up by using the hashtag #MPLHelpingHands on your favorite social media platform all week or beyond.

National Bookmobile Day – Wednesday, April 22
April 22 is National Bookmobile Day! It’s been one full year since the Dream Bus launched. With almost a year in service before closing for Safer at Home, the Dream Bus received over 6,000 visits, checked out nearly 7,000 items and issued nearly 500 new library cards. #DreamBusLibrary

The Dream Bus serves ten neighborhoods in Madison, bringing library service to pockets of Madison that have transportation barriers to visiting library buildings. The Dream Bus is a partnership between Dane County Library Service, Madison Public Library, and Madison Public Library Foundation. It is funded by presenting sponsors Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Foundation, with continued support from the Madison Public Library Foundation and the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, and additional support provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Anonymous, Evjue Foundation, Inc., Dick Goldberg, Friends of Fitchburg Library, John Reindl, Madison Community Foundation, Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, and Sun Prairie Public Library Foundation. Learn more at dreambus.org

Library Giving Day – Thursday, April 23
Join the Madison Public Library Foundation in celebrating the second annual Library Giving Day. Library Giving Day, started by the Seattle Public Library Foundation, is a way to show appreciation for public library service through donations that create a lasting impact. The pandemic’s economic impact has adversely affected many businesses and individuals; those impacted are asked to celebrate the day by sharing social media posts, and encouraging others to make a donation or learn more.

This year, all donations to the Madison Public Library Foundation on Library Giving Day will support the library’s virtual content and digital collections, including eBooks and audiobooks. Every dollar will be matched up to $45,000, thanks to generous gifts from David Hall & Marjorie Devereaux, Lau & Bea Christensen, Friends of Sequoya Library, and Madison Public Library Foundation Board of Directors members both present and past. Learn more at mplfoundation.org/event/library-giving-day

Share YOUR Library Story – Friday, April 24
Throughout the week, or specifically on Friday, library users are invited to share why they love their library. It may be because of a fantastic event, a free media service, a community gathering tool, or something else entirely! Library users are invited to post a story to their favorite social media platform with the hashtags #LibrariesStrong and #MadisonPublicLibrary to get involved with the national campaign to share stories through short videos and photos. Please make sure your posts are set to “public” and tag accordingly.

While libraries are closed, you can use a variety of online collections and services, participate in online events, even get a virtual library card. Visit madisonpubliclibrary.org/at-home for all Library services you can access at home.

With the recent extension of Safer At Home through May 26, we will be announcing additional services in the weeks to come. Please follow Madison Public Library via the library’s web site, madisonpubliclibrary.org or via the following social media channels:

Facebook: @MadisonPublicLibrary
Instagram: @MadisonPublicLibrary
Twitter: @MadisonLibrary
#MadisonPublicLibrary

About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 140 years. Our nine locations throughout the City of Madison welcome over 1.9 million visits each year. For more information, visit madisonpubliclibrary.org, @MadisonPublicLibrary on Facebook and Instagram, or @MadisonLibrary on Twitter.