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National Library Week/
School Library Media Month
National Library Week will be observed April 6-12, 2003.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance
sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries
across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions
of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library
use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic
and special - participate.
Many school libraries also celebrate the month of April as School
Library Media Month sponsored by the American Association of School
Librarians, a division of ALA, with the same theme as National Library
Week.
The Public Information Office of the American Library Association
coordinates the promotion, placing articles and public service advertisements
in national media. The President of the United States issues an
annual proclamation. Librarians, Friends and trustees of libraries
join in sponsoring local promotions. Posters and other promotional
materials are available through the ALA Graphics Catalog.
The ALA Public Awareness Committee assists in planning National Library
Week and related activities. The committees hold open meetings at
the ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting. Suggestions are
welcome.
History
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 American Library
Association 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!"
National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the ALA Council
voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book
Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship.
Dates National Library Week is observed each year in April, generally
the second full week.
Primary Source: http://www.ala.org/pio/factsheets/NLW.html
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