23 saved#4,169 of 6,224

Library Shelfie Day

Showcase your love of literature on Library Shelfie Day with a snapshot of your overflowing bookshelves and your favorite reads!

Wednesday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEFourth Wednesday in January

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Book lovers, rejoice! Library Shelfie Day is here on January 24, a day to celebrate our book-filled spaces and share them with the world. Established in 2014 by the New York Public Library, Library Shelfie Day was created to encourage book lovers around the globe to share pictures of their personal libraries - a 'Shelfie' so to speak, showcasing everyone's unique reading tastes and the beautiful, imaginative worlds that hide within those pages. So, whether you have a towering bookshelf, a cozy reading nook or a virtual library, get ready to snap, share, and savor the literary love!

TIMELINE

Library Shelfie Day Timeline

Library Shelfie Day Inception

The New York Public Library creates Library Shelfie Day to encourage book lovers to share their personal libraries.

Popularity Surges

The hashtag #LibraryShelfie sees a significant increase in usage on social media platforms, displaying the holiday's appeal.

Global Participation

Library Shelfie Day goes global as readers from all around the world share their #LibraryShelfie on social media.

E-books Join In

E-books join the tradition, with readers sharing screenshots of their digital libraries for the first time to celebrate the day.

Recognition by Major Libraries

Major libraries, such as the British Library, recognize and take part in Library Shelfie Day, solidifying its global influence.

Virtual Celebrations

During the global pandemic, readers navigate virtual methods to celebrate the day, encouraging a sense of community amidst isolation.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Library Shelfie Day

Decorate your bookshelf

In preparation for Library Shelfie Day, get creative and decorate your bookshelf. You might add lights, bookmarks, or even rearrange your books by color. This will create a visually appealing shelfie for others to admire.

HOST

Host a bookclub meet up

Gather your bookclub together on Library Shelfie Day to discuss your favorite reads. Have everyone bring a copy of their favorite book to hold in the group shelfie photo!

CREATE

Create a virtual ‘Shelfie’

If you’re more of a digital reader, you can still participate in Library Shelfie Day! Screenshot your e-reader's library and share it on social media. Don't forget to use the dedicated hashtags to join the online celebrations.

VISIT

Visit your local library

What better way to spend Library Shelfie Day than at the library itself? Visit your local library, take a shelfie in front of your favorite section, and show some love to these important community centers.

INTRODUCE

Introduce a book swap

Organize a book swap among your friends or neighborhood. This is not only a fun way to celebrate Library Shelfie Day but also a great opportunity to discover new reads and share your favorites.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Library Shelfie Day

Opportunity to appreciate and support libraries

Finally, Library Shelfie Day reminds us to appreciate the vital role of libraries as champion of wisdom, knowledge, and community growth. It pushes us to support these critical institutions that continue to help build a well-informed and educated society.

Embraces our love for books

Library Shelfie Day embraces our adoration of literature. It gives us an opportunity to show off our favorite books, the ones that have transformed our world view and opened our eyes to new ideas, places, and people. It's a day to celebrate our learning journey through reading.

Creates a sense of community

It brings together an online community of book lovers. By sharing our 'shelfies', we not only get to peek at other's collections but also discover other readers with similar tastes and even get some book recommendations!