National Library Workers Day is right around the corner, on April 10. In honor of all the unheralded library employees across the country, the ALA–Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is asking those in the profession to nominate “star” library employees for public recognition.
“Libraries work because we do,” said Lorelle Swader, director of the Office for Human Resources Development and Recruitment and ALA-APA. “Once a year we take time to recognize the hard work of so many who are the very backbone of library service helping these organizations succeed.”
Library employees are crucial to our economy and culture. They help small business owners formulate plans; assist graduates in locating funding to continue their educations; encourage children to fall in love with reading; assist grandparents in connecting with their grandchildren; and guide seniors in getting comfortable with the latest technology, among a myriad of other things.
Since 2003, National Library Workers Day (NLWD) has been celebrated on the Tuesday of National Library Week (this year April 8–14) to recognize the contributions of all library workers, including librarians, support staff, and others who make library services possible.
Anyone may nominate a star library worker or team for creativity, enthusiasm, customer service, or that special something they add to a library. Nominees can be anyone—students, workers, supervisors, or even yourself. Submit nominations through the NLWD website. New nominations will be showcased there in the Galaxy of Stars.
Here are excerpts from some of the nominations that have been posted on the site so far:
- Brooke, from a school library in Birmingham, Alabama, is described as “the go-to person for any research in the area of history” at her library.
- Alexa, a children’s librarian at a public library in Edinburg, Texas, provides programming to community children from 18 months to 12 years of age. Her colleague writes, “She is always looking for ways to improve her teaching skills by attending workshops and webinars on a regular basis.”
- Kristen is from an academic library in Corvallis, Oregon. “She is a Jill-of-all-trades, thinks fast on her feet, and is an energetic leader. Our library staff, student, and community users all know her by name.”
There are also other ways to celebrate NLWD. In addition to nominating stars, NLWD celebrants can advocate for increased funding and staffing in libraries; invite the public to see who makes it possible for that favorite DVD or book to be available; deliver book-shaped cookies to branches; send thank-you notes to their favorite workers; or purchase T-shirts, bags, and stickers at the NLWD store in support of the celebration.
For more ideas, visit the Celebration Ideas page. How are you celebrating NWLD? Post your ideas and activities on the ALA-APA’s Facebook page or here under the comments section.
