YDL is celebrating National Library Week (April 7–13) with pizza and an eclipse!
Use your library card to grab a pair of eclipse glasses, then join us at Whittaker or Superior at 2:30pm on April 8 to watch the rare celestial event. On Thursday, April 11, Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill will donate 20% of every dine-in, carryout, or delivery order to YDL! Find the Dine to Donate flyers inside our branches or download it here. Just show the flyer to your server before you pay your bill to support your library!
These events fit perfectly with this year’s NLW theme: “Ready, Set, Library!” Intended to highlight how libraries foster community, NLW aims to spread the word about how programming and events encourage us to engage with one another.
About NLW 2024
April 7-13 marks National Library Week 2024, a week dedicated to honoring libraries, library workers, and their impacts on their communities. This year’s theme is Ready, Set, Library! which promotes the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and Newbery and Pura Belpré-award winning author Meg Medina will serve as NLW’s 2024 Honorary Chair.
On Monday, April 8, kickoff National Library Week with Right to Read Day, a call to action for readers, advocates, and library lovers everywhere to stand up to censorship as part of a national day of action. Over the last few years, censors have accelerated their attempts to remove or restrict books and programs in schools and public libraries. Organized pressure groups have used their power to wage an aggressive campaign to empty library shelves of all books they deem inappropriate instead of allowing people to decide for themselves what they and their children read. These groups have redirected their aim from schools to public libraries, which saw a 92% increase in the number of titles challenged over the previous year. Nearly half of the titles impacted were by or about LGBTQIA+ individuals and people of color.
Strong Libraries = A Stronger Michigan
On Tuesday, April 16, celebrate Michigan Library Advocacy Day, an annual event where library supporters and professionals come together to advocate for the importance of libraries in their communities. This year’s theme is “STRONGER LIBRARIES = A STRONGER MICHIGAN!” Participants will meet with legislators to discuss funding, policy issues, and the impact of libraries on the people they serve, aiming to ensure continued support for these community institutions. Learn more about how you can celebrate with the Michigan Library Community here!
Ready…? Set…? Library!
- Get or renew your YDL card.
- Use your YDL card to pick up free solar eclipse glasses.
- Attend a YDL program and connect with people who share your interests.
- Learn more about our solar installations.
- Check out something from one of our digital collections.
- Get a free or discounted ticket to a park, museum, or cultural center with your library card; visit miactivitypass.org.
- Borrow a book specifically recommended for you by NoveList with your YDL card
How can you celebrate National Library Week?
If you love the library and its services, celebrate National Library Week with us! This year, National Library Week has 4 days of celebration with distinct themes.
On #RightToReadDay, Monday, April 8, take action and raise your voice for the right to read. Visit Unite Against Book Bans to contact your U.S. Congressperson and tell them to stand up to censorship. Plus on April 8, the State of America’s Libraries Report will be released, including the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2023.
Tuesday, April 9, is National Library Workers Day (NLWD), a day to celebrate the invaluable contributions and dedication of library staff across the country. From librarians to clerks, these professionals play a vital role in promoting literacy, fostering learning, and connecting communities with knowledge. It’s a day to honor their hard work, passion for books, and commitment to serving the public. We thank each of our staff members for their work in making the library a warm and welcoming place for everyone!
On April 10, celebrate National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. National Library Outreach Day is an opportunity for library advocates to make their support known by thanking their library staff, writing a letter or e-mail to their libraries, or voicing their support to community leaders.
Thursday, April 11 is Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries. Use this day to lend your voice in support of libraries and the resources they provide to the community. Please consider making a donation to support YDL’s rehabilitation of the Michigan Avenue branch.