National Library Week kicks off on Sunday, April 10. National Library Week celebrates the contributions of libraries to our civic life, including the unique educational role all kinds of libraries – academic, public, school, and special – play. The theme for this year’s National Library Week celebration is Libraries Transform.
At the Gustavus Library, we interpret this in two ways. First, libraries are agents of transformation. They facilitate lifelong learning and creative expression. They bridge digital divides. At their heart, libraries are democratic institutions empowering people’s participation in civic life.
Second, libraries themselves are constantly transforming. There’s a popular perception that in the age of ebooks and the internet, libraries are outdated. Not true. Libraries are also constantly transforming to meet the needs of users. Need an article and a journal website is making you pay for it? No problem – we can get it for you for free. Hoping to get some help navigating the ins and outs of electronic databases? Our outstanding librarians have got you covered. Looking for collaborative group learning spaces? We’ve got those. A fan of more traditional library services, like books and quiet spaces? Oh yeah, we have those, too.
Want a better understanding of why libraries are more necessary than ever in the age of the internet and information-as-commodity? We can explain that, too.
There’s a lot to celebrate this year during National Library Week. Above all, it’s a time to reflect on the essential role libraries play in our communities. It’s no secret that all libraries face lack of funds and support. During this National Library Week in particular, let’s reflect on all the ways that libraries have transformed us – and consider what we would lose without them.