.svg)
Mark your calendars for April 21 because it's Thank You for Libraries Day! This day is dedicated to showing appreciation and gratitude for the wonderful institutions that provide us with endless knowledge, resources, and opportunities. Did you know that the first library was founded over 5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia? Since then, libraries have evolved and adapted to serve the needs of their communities. So let's take a moment to celebrate all the amazing things libraries do for us and give them a big thank you!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2600 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World's First Library</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Library of Ashurbanipal, the world's first known library, was established in Nineveh, Mesopotamia - now modern-day Iraq.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>300 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Library of Alexandria Opening</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Library of Alexandria, one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, was constructed.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1600s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Oxford's Bodleian Library</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, was opened to academics.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1876</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>American Library Association Formation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world, was founded.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Libraries and the Digital Age</div><div class='timeline-text'>Libraries adapt to the digital age by offering online catalogues, eBooks, eAudiobooks, and online databases for research.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a library-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family for a party to celebrate Thank You for Libraries Day! Decorate with book-themed decorations, serve library-themed snacks and drinks, and have fun with book-related games and activities.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a thank you card campaign</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make thank you cards to give to your local library staff. You can also encourage others in your community to do the same and spread the love for libraries.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate books or funds to your local library</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your appreciation for libraries by giving back. Donate books to add to their collection or make a monetary donation to support their programs and services.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a library event or program</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out your local library's calendar of events and attend a program or event to show your support. You may discover a new favorite author or learn something new.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share your love for libraries on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread the word about Thank You for Libraries Day by sharing your favorite memories, books, or services from your local library on social media. Use the hashtag #ThankYouForLibraries to join in on the conversation.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Libraries provide free access to knowledge and resources</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Thank You for Libraries Day reminds us of the amazing gift that libraries give us - the ability to access books, information, and resources for free. No matter your income level, you can always find something valuable at your local library!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Librarians are invaluable resources themselves</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Librarians are often overlooked but they play a crucial role in helping people navigate through the vast amount of information available. They can recommend books and help with research, making our experience at the library even more enriching.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Libraries promote community and connection</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Libraries are not just about books - they also offer events, classes, and workshops that bring people together. They serve as a hub for community building and foster a love for learning and exploration among all ages.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Impressive Collection: The British Library Holds Over 150 Million Items</h3><p class='facts-content'>The British Library in London is one of the world’s greatest research libraries. With materials ranging from books, manuscripts, journals, to maps and stamps, its collection is estimated to span about 388 miles of shelves.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Oldest Book in Existence is Located in a Library</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist religious text printed in 868 during the Tang Dynasty in China, is recognized as the oldest complete book printed with movable type, and it resides in the British Library.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Libraries have Created Books for the Blind</h3><p class='facts-content'>Libraries didn’t forget about visually impaired readers. The first books using Braille were introduced in the 19th century, and today, libraries around the world offer large print books and audiobooks.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Over Half of U.S Adults Have a Library Card</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the American Library Association, as of 2015, there were 171 million registered borrowers, or over half of the US population, showing just how essential libraries are for the community.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Most Checked-Out Book in New York Public Library's History</h3><p class='facts-content'>As of January 2020, ‘The Snowy Day’ by Ezra Jack Keats holds the record of being the most checked-out book in the 125-year history of the New York Public Library, making an impact on millions through a simple tale of a child enjoying the snow.</p></div></div>
Thank You for Libraries Day is celebrated on April 21 every year. In 2024 Thank You for Libraries Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Apr 21
Friday
2024
Apr 21
Sunday
2025
Apr 21
Monday
2026
Apr 21
Tuesday
2027
Apr 21
Wednesday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
