Libraries Transform Because…

becauseIt’s a fact. Your library changes the lives of people in your community, school and campus every day. The American Library Association (ALA), in honor of its new public awareness campaign, Libraries Transform, wants you to share your stories of how libraries do just that.

Libraries can participate in two ways. First, libraries and librarians are asked to submit 1-2 minute videos discussing how their library transforms their community, campus or school. Submissions will be used by ALA to develop a promotional video or a series of promotional videos. For more information, check out ALA’s informational video, or visit ala.org/nlw.

A second promotion asks library users to share how their library transforms their life. Using the model of the Libraries Transform campaign’s Because… statements, library lovers are asked to create their own Because… statements on social media using the hashtag, #LibrariesTransform. One randomly selected winner will receive a $100 gift card and a copy of “Secret Coders,” by Mike Holmes and Gene Luen Yang, the Honorary Chair National Library Week 2016.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit ala.org/nlw.

Promotional tools including print, digital and audio public service announcements featuring Yang can be found on the National Library Week page. In addition to these tools a sample press release, proclamation and PSA scripts are also available on the website.

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. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate.

Celebrations during National Library Week include:

National Library Workers Day, Tuesday of National Library Week (April 12, 2016), a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

For more information on National Library Week, visit ILoveLibraries.org, or follow hashtag #nlw16.