april 8-14 National Library Week celebrates its 60th Anniversary! American Ballet Theatre principal dancer and bestselling author Misty Copeland has been selected to serve as honorary chair. This year’s theme is “Libraries Lead,” which emphasizes the leadership of libraries and library workers in their communities and the role of libraries in helping patrons develop their own leadership skills.
The idea that cultivated National Library Week began in the mid-1950s when 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 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!"
Read more about the 60-year history of National Library Week (click on this link) at American Libraries magazine, and check out the list of past National Library Week themes.
THE STAFF AT THE BELLE FOURCHE PUBLIC LIBRARY INVITES YOU TO STOP IN FOR A VISIT and see what your local Library has to offer you!
APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH - Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.
Part of National Poetry Month is Poem in Your Pocket Day which will be April 26 this year. It is celebrated throughout the U.S. as well as Canada. On this day, select a poem, carry it with you, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem.
IT'S BEEN A LONG WINTER but we're almost there! Soon we will have more warm days than cold. NOW is the time to start making your list of projects for the warmer weather that's coming. We have a LOT of books to help you plan and give you guidance on how to get those projects done. From gardening and soil preparation, starting your own egg supply with a flock of chickens, landscaping a backyard get-a-way, building your own yard furniture . . . lots of ideas for when that warm weather hits!