If we have learned one thing through our work over the last year, it is that a local library has the power to be a leader in the community. In an unincorporated community like Altadena that does not have a central government structure, our Library has a unique opportunity to work both independently and in collaboration with groups like the Altadena Town Council and other local organizations to bolster community progress.
It has been the intention of the Library to help lead Altadena toward an attitude of community engagement and service. After our initial round of Community Conversations in early 2017, we experienced an inspiring renewal of effort within the Library to incorporate the needs of the community directly into our available programming and resources. We hoped that our efforts would inspire other community groups to also approach the new year with renewed commitment to progress, and whether or not it had to do with the Community Conversations, it is undeniable that Altadena has experienced a resurgence of community involvement and action throughout the year.
We are proud of our community and our Library District, and we are honored to celebrate our special place in Altadena. This year, National Library Week takes place the week of Sunday, April 8th through Saturday, April 14th. It is a time we use to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. This long-standing tradition is celebrated every year across the country and stems from a real need.
In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Comittee in 1954. The committee’s goals were ambitious. They ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.”
In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!” When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship, and National Library Week continues annually to celebrate libraries across the country.
We hope you will join us in celebration by either stopping by the Main Library or Bob Lucas Branch Library or attending one of our special events that week:
- Button Making Inspiration Station: (Throughout the Week) Color in and create your very own library-themed button!
- BookMobile Meetup at the Farmers Market: (Wednesday, April 11 at 4:00pm) As part of National Library Week, Wednesday is National Bookmobile Day! Look for our bicycle that we’ll use to carry books to the Farmers Market, sign people up for Library cards, and host a special story time.
- Second Saturday ft. Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orleans: (Saturday, April 14 at 6:30pm) Our Second Saturday concert will feature local favorite, Kenny Sara and The Sounds of New Orleans, that will bring their upbeat take on New Orleans jazz to the Libary! Food, dancing, and fun!