Massanutten Regional Library is pleased to celebrate National Library Week (April 23 - 29, 2023), a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and ongoing support.
The theme for National Library Week 2023 is "There's More to the Story," illustrating the fact that in tandem with the books and printed materials in library collections, which are available in a variety of formats, libraries offer so much more.
Many libraries -including MRL - now lend items like museum passes, parks passes, puzzles, and more. In addition, library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, story times, musical performances, crafting classes, lectures, and countless other special events which build community.
Library infrastructure also advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for students, businesses, job seekers, entrepreneurs, lifelong learners, and more.
National Library Week events include:
Monday, April 24: Right to Read Day, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read.
Tuesday, April 25: National Library Workers Day, a day to celebrate library staff and to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers and volunteers.
Wednesday, April 26: National Library Outreach Day a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are by doing story times, exhibits, and presentations in our community for all ages.
Thursday, April 27: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association and is observed in libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate. Massanutten Regional Library invites the entire community it serves to celebrate alongside MRL this week and recognize the important role public libraries play in strong communities.
About Massanutten Regional Library:
Massanutten Regional Library proudly serves the residents of the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham and Page Counties, with branches located in Bridgewater, Broadway, Elkton, Grottoes, Harrisonburg, Luray, and the town of Shenandoah. Library patrons have free access to over 300,000 books, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks, online learning and research tools, and other resources. Residents can obtain a free library card by visiting their local MRL branch. MRL is a fine-free library and does not charge fines for overdue items so that there is never a financial burden for anyone using the library system.
