Drawn to the Library? You’re not alone.
Millions of people visit their libraries every week—and for good reason. During National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025, take time to discover (or rediscover) what draws people in.
This National Library Week, libraries need your support more than ever. Book challenges and censorship efforts are still on the rise, and federal funding is under threat. These challenges don’t just impact libraries—they impact all of us.
This year, we’re asking you to show up at your library—and show up for your library.
Stand with your community to defend the freedom to read and celebrate what makes libraries essential.
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud are Honorary Chairs of National Library Week 2025. They have partnered to create a one-of-a-kind graphic novel, The Cartoonists Club, published by Scholastic’s Graphix imprint.
Stories and art draw us together, inspiring all of us to discover our own unique talents. Libraries are essential to that process—now more than ever!
Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award–winning creator of Smile, Sisters, and Guts, which are all graphic memoirs based on her childhood. She is also the creator of Drama and Ghosts, the adapter and illustrator of the first four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, and, with Scott McCloud, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Facing Feelings: The Art of Raina Telgemeier is a companion catalog for an exhibition held at The Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Telgemeier lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. To learn more, visit her online at goraina.com.
Scott McCloud is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art; Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels; Zot!; and The Sculptor. He is also, with Raina Telgemeier, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Scott is a frequent lecturer on the power of visual communication, creator of the international 24-hour comic movement, and, in 2021, was inducted into the Will Eisner Awards Hall of Fame. He lives with his family in Oregon. McCloud’s art and stories are available in more than 30 languages and on the web at scottmccloud.com.
Monday, April 7
The right to read is under attack in communities across the U.S. in the form of book bans. On Right to Read Day, take the time to protect, defend, and celebrate your freedom to read.
On Monday, ALA will also release its annual State of America’s Libraries Report, including the list of Top Ten Frequently Challenged Books of 2024.
#RightToReadDay #DrawnToFreedom
Tuesday, April 8
National Library Workers Day is a time to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers across the country. We encourage everyone to recognize the amazing STARS who work in our libraries. Host festivities and flood social media with words of gratitude for all library workers.
Celebrate by submitting a star for the stellar library worker in your life!
#NLWD25
Wednesday, April 9
Outside the library’s walls, librarians are meeting their patrons where they are. Whether it’s a bookmobile stop at the local elementary school, services provided to community homes, or library pop-ups at community gatherings, these services are essential to the community. National Library Outreach Day celebrates the library professionals who make it happen.
#LibraryOutreachDay
Thursday, April 10
Library advocates across the country stand united on Take Action for Libraries Day, an annual day of action during National Library Week! With the current administrations move to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services and end federal library funding, our elected officials need to hear from library supporters more than ever.
#ForOurLibraries
Be sure to follow your library on social media so you don’t miss out on all they have to offer! Post one of our available graphics to your social media account and tell the world why you’re drawn to the library using the hashtag #NationalLibraryWeek.
Please visit ALA's National Library Week Toolkit for more free tools to celebrate in your local community.
I Love Libraries
Facebook @ILoveLibraries
Instagram: @ilovelibrariesala
Bluesky: @ilovelibraries
American Library Association
Instagram: @americanlibraryassociation
Facebook: @AmericanLibraryAssociation
Bluesky: @amlibraryassoc
Threads: @americanlibraryassociation
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 ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee 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 with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!” The 2018 celebration marked the 60th anniversary of the first event.
Read more about the history of National Library Week in American Libraries Magazine.
Proud Sponsor of the ALA Public Supporter Program
American Library Association • 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300 • Chicago, IL 60601
