National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association and was first celebrated in 1958 as a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries, library workers’ contributions and to promote library use and support. The theme for this year’s National Library Week, which is being celebrated between April 23rd and April 29th, is “There’s More to the Story.”
Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats. But there’s so much more to the story.
At the Hopkinton Public Library, we lend items like adventure passes, games, musical instruments, and tech items. Our library programming brings the community together for entertainment, education, and connection through book discussions, movie showings, storytimes, monthly music and movement sessions for children, craft programs for all ages, author talks, and our English Language Learning program, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Last year, they offered one session. This year, attendance had grown enough to support three sessions at two different levels – beginner and advanced, and includes participants from thirteen different countries and surrounding communities.
Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, community meeting spaces, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. In 2022, we circulated 200,522 items. Hopkinton residents were able to borrow 13,353 items from other Massachusetts libraries while we lent 6,941 of our items to those communities. We held 329 live programs which 3,123 people attended.
During National Library Week the Hopkinton Library staff will be celebrating with different themed days and we invite the public to join us on Monday, April 24th by wearing library or book-themed clothing. Tuesday the 25th come dressed as your favorite character. On Wednesday the 26th we will be showing off our pajamas. Thursday the 27th is cardigan day, and Friday the 28th is mismatch day. A list of library programming and take-and-makes that week will be listed on our web calendar. Join us for any or all of them.
The Hopkinton Public Library is committed to upholding and defending the core values of inclusion and free and equal access to ideas and information, which are essential to an informed democratic society. We enjoy National Library Week while remembering those core values.