Libraries Strengthen Their Communities: Celebrate National Library Week April 7-13
release date: April 4, 2019
This upcoming week, The Seattle Public Library joins libraries in schools, campuses
April 7 – April 13 is National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and communities. Libraries are at the heart of their cities, towns, schools
Library programs encourage community members to meet to discuss civic issues, work together using new technologies like 3D printing or learn alongside one another in English language classes. Library staff also partner with other civic and service organizations to actively engage with the people they serve, always striving to make sure their community’s core needs are being met.
The Seattle Public Library, one of the top-rated libraries in the nation, helps strengthen Seattle's access to information. Residents have shown enthusiastic support for the Library’s efforts with the 2012 passing of a $123 million Library levy. The seven-year levy has funded more open hours, more materials, improved access to technology and improved building maintenance through 2019.
"Libraries are cornerstones of democracy, promoting the free exchange of information and ideas for all," said Marcellus Turner, Executive Director
The Library’s collection of almost 2 million items for children, teens
In addition to offering free Wi-Fi access at all 27 Library locations, the Library lends SPL HotSpots—Wi-Fi hotspots that can be checked out for 21 days and can connect up to 15 devices.
The Library also offers a number of resources available outside of its buildings. The wildly-popular Museum Pass program enables cardholders to check out free passes to local museums and cultural spots. You can go to the zoo, attend the theater, pet a starfish and even rent a boat for free! Throughout the spring and summer, the Library does outreach at community events and festivals to bring books and information about Library services. The Library also uses pedal power and customized bicycle trailers with the Books on Bikes program to bring services to popular community events around Seattle.
All of these services are available when you pick up your free Library card. You'll find more to do at the Library, too – including author readings, hands-on skills classes, film screenings, story times for children and adults, opera previews, language groups and more, There's something happening at your Library every day.
Libraries also offer something unique to their communities: the expertise of librarians. Librarians are information experts who help patrons sort through overwhelming volumes of information and guide patrons through the use of unfamiliar technologies, both of which are critical in the digital age. Librarians at The Seattle Public Library are ready to help you with reference questions, book recommendations, technology assistance and more at any of our 27 locations. If you can’t make it to a branch for assistance, call 206-386-4636 or Ask Us online to get help from a librarian.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.