It's National Library Week!
- Kiana Livingston
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Brown Sugar Babes & Wordsmiths, we’ve reached the end of the first quarter of the year, and I’m not sure whether to celebrate or cry, but that’s for another day. It’s the beginning of Spring! The season of transitions, renewal and . . . books?
Every April, bibliophiles and casual readers alike celebrate National Library Week (April 6th to the 12th). A time to honor the institutions that fuel our imaginations and provide invaluable community resources. We’re long away from the times where libraries were just for dusty bookshelves and whispered conversations. They’re evolved into vibrant cultural hubs that have even found a new audience in the digital age, thanks to the rise of BookTok.
Now what is National Library Week, you may ask? Well, National Library Week was first established in 1958 by the American Library Association (ALA) as a way to highlight the importance of libraries in our society. The initiative emerged in response to concerns that people were TV-binging and radio listening more than reading books (this sounding a bit too familiar and a bit too close to home?). Over the years, it has expanded to celebrate not only books, but also the programs, technology, the incredible work of those caring librarians and the inclusive spaces libraries provide to their communities.
So, how did BookTok get mixed into all this? Well, the book-obsessed corner of TikTok, has been instrumental in reviving interest in reading and libraries in particular. Thanks to viral recommendations and heart wrenching reviews, library shelves have seen long-forgotten titles fly off the stacks, and waiting lists for trending books—like "The Song of Achilles" or the infamous "Fourth Wing"—have skyrocketed. Many libraries now host BookTok-themed events, and even post Librarian outfit of the day TikToks to engage with younger audiences.
Is all this talk about Libraries drawing you towards your own? Fantastic, because that’s the theme for this year’s Library Week: Drawn To the Library. So, if you’re in New York City or Washington, DC, during National Library Week, check out these standout libraries hosting amazing programs:
New York City:
The New York Public Library—Stephen A. Schwartzman
Events: The Flushing Remonstrance: “Let Everyone Remain Free” from April 8th to April 10th
Info: Visit the NYPL Flagship building for a rare opportunity to see the Flushing Remonstrance on loan from the NY State Archives in Albany. It tells the story of a community's fight against intolerance and how it continues to resonate in the struggle for freedom of conscience and expression.
Brooklyn Public Library—Midwood
Event: National Library Week: Banned Book Trivia! On April 7th at 10:00am - 5:00pm
Info: Join Midwood Library on the 1st floor for some fun trivia and the chance to win exciting prizes, including some awesome YA books that have been banned and challenged in schools and libraries across the country. Celebrate diverse literature and the freedom to read!
Queens Public Library—Ridgewood Branch
Event: National Library Week: Freedom to Read Storytime on April 9th at 10:30am
Info: Join for a special storytime in honor of National Library Week, which will feature books that have been banned or challenged in the United States.
Washington, DC:
Event: Live! At the Library: Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey on April 10 at 7:00pm
Info: Families are invited to celebrate the Library’s acquisition of circus arts materials as Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus performers bring acts from “The Greatest Show On Earth” to the Library of Congress Great Hall.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Event: "Free for All: The Public Library" Screening and Talkback on April 8th at 7pm.
Info: Enjoy a documentary exploring the history behind the creation of public libraries and the risks they face.
The Georgetown Neighborhood Library
Event: Lego Challenge! On April 8th at 3:30pm
Info: Calling all builders! Join us for some Lego fun each Tuesday!
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