National Library Week

In the U.S. this week, it is National Library Week (April 10 – 16, 2016).

“First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special – participate” (http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/factsheets/nationallibraryweek).  This year’s theme is "Libraries Transform."

I found an article on BookRiot about how people can become power users of libraries:  http://bookriot.com/2014/08/22/power-library-user/.  Remember that a library is more than just a “Netflix for books.”  It can transform your life.

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Interestingly, public libraries across England have just launched a scheme to support young people with mental health issues with expert endorsed books available to borrow for free.

“Reading Well for young people will provide 13-18 year-olds with high-quality information, support and advice on a wide-range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm, and difficult life pressures, like bullying and exams.

“A recommended reading list of 35 books was selected by mental health experts and young people. The list includes a wide range of self-help and information titles, as well as memoir, graphic novels and fiction, from hugely influential novels The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and popular non-fiction such as Mind Your Head by Juno Dawson, Blame My Brain: The Amazing Teenage Brain Revealed by Nicola Morgan and The Self-Esteem Team's Guide to Sex, Drugs and WTFs?!! to the self-help guides Banish Your Body Image Thief and Breaking Free from OCD” (https://readingagency.org.uk/news/media/new-national-reading-scheme-to-support-young-peoples-mental-health.html).