From April 23-29, Madison Public Library is celebrating National Library Week online and at all library locations. The theme for National Library Week 2023, “There's More to the Story,” highlights all the different ways people can connect with their library - through collections, programs, services, digital access, and spaces. Most importantly, libraries also connect communities to each other.
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.
Day-by-day celebrations:
- First Day of National Library Week - Sunday, April 23
Madison Public Library will be sharing info about the ways in which the library serves the community, showcasing the services provided and encouraging social media followers to utilize the #MyLibraryIs hashtag to share their own experiences with the library. Be sure to tag @MadisonPublicLibrary on Facebook and Instagram or @MadisonLibrary on Twitter.
- State of American Libraries Report Release - Monday, April 24
The
State of America's Libraries 2023 Report is an annual summary of library trends that outlines statistics and issues affecting all types of libraries during the previous calendar year. This report also includes a list of the
Top 10 Most Challenged Books for 2022. At Madison Public Library, we support everyone's right to read and choose their own books. We encourage you to learn more and support
Right To Read Day.
- National Library Workers Day - Tuesday, April 25
National Library Workers Day is a day for library staff, library patrons, and library supporters to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Over the past year, we asked library staff to show us around their library and highlight some of their favorite parts of their jobs. Visit us on Instagram at
@MadisonPublicLibrary and browse our Instagram Story series where you can learn more about different types of library jobs, what each location has to offer, and (virtually) meet some of our staff.
- National Library Outreach Day – Wednesday, April 26
Madison's mobile library, the
Dream Bus, visits a dozen locations around Madison on a weekly basis. First launched four years ago, the Dream Bus visits neighborhoods and locations around Madison and Sun Prairie that may face transportation barriers in getting to a library location. The Dream Bus literally meets them where they are at, and helps hundreds of patrons each year get library cards and check out library materials. The Dream Bus is just one way that Madison's libraries connect to the community, however. Expect to see Madison Public Library in parks across the city this summer as part of
Parks Alive, as well as other neighborhood events and activities.
- Take Action for Libraries Day – Thursday, April 27
Library users are encouraged to contact their local alders and or their state representatives to express their support for libraries! The library also thanks those who are already taking action in our libraries - our amazing volunteers! Last week, on Volunteer Appreciation Week, library staff recognized the nearly 100 active volunteers who gave hundreds of hours of their time throughout the year with a gift provided by the
Madison Public Library Foundation and a specially designed card from Bubbler artist,
Kassandra Palmer.
- Share YOUR Library Story – Friday, April 28
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 service, a great book, or something else entirely! Library users are invited to post a story with the hashtags #MyLibraryIs and tag @MadisonPublicLibrary on Instagram or Facebook and @MadisonLibrary on Twitter, or stop in and share a story in person through a postcard campaign.
- Last Day of National Library Week - Saturday, April 29
Madison Public Library has been
Fine Free since August 2020 and continues to spread the word! “Madison Public Library is proud to support our commitment to equity and literacy. By eliminating nearly all overdue fines and ceasing to use a collections agency, we want to encourage even more Madisonians to use the library by removing those barriers to library services,” said Library Director Greg Mickells. “Especially now, we need to make our libraries more accessible.”
Learn what library card is right for you and sign up at
madpl.org/apply.
Follow along and share your own content for National Library Week 2023:
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 145 years. Visit the library online at
www.madisonpubliclibrary.org, madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook,
@madisonlibrary on Twitter, or
@madisonpubliclibrary on Instagram.
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