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!"
This year, National Library Week is April 6-12.
"For National Library Week, we’re “Drawn to the Library.” What can you find at the library? In a word: FREEDOM. For Right to Read Day, which takes place Monday, April 7, 2025, we’re “Drawn to Freedom” — the freedom to read, the freedom to access information, the freedom to find community — all of the opportunities our libraries provide.
The freedom to read has been under attack for years now. But the censorship attacks on libraries aren’t just book bans. The individuals and groups behind the attacks on libraries are threatening programs, cutting funding, and trying to pass laws that target library workers and educators.
The relentless attacks on library workers, educators, and community members are meant to create an environment of fear in which people are afraid to buy books, afraid to check out books, afraid to teach a diversity of viewpoints, and afraid to even report censorship.
We started Unite Against Book Bans to push back against these attempts to silence and frighten communities and show that the majority of people do not support censorship and the attacks on libraries. We need to show up for our libraries and library workers and let them know that they are not alone. We need to show up for freedom.
For #RightToReadDay, we’re asking you to celebrate — and defend — the freedoms that are found in our libraries!"
