National Library Week 2025

April 6-12 is National Library Week, the time we usually celebrate libraries.

As you may know, libraries are near and dear to my heart. I started going to libraries when I was very young, and they’re still a big part of my life. I check out books, attend events, and volunteer at my local branch. I know that library workers care deeply about their patrons and go the extra mile to help them access materials and feel safe and welcome. They are a vital part of our communities. Normally, I would stop there and end by encouraging you to go to your local library.

But nowadays, libraries have to contend with book challenges and threats like never before. Book banners try to pull books off shelves because they have BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ authors, or because they show readers elements of the real world that make them uncomfortable. Book banners want to choose what all readers and viewers/listeners can access, instead of respecting intellectual freedom and free speech. They even threaten library workers and make them feel unsafe in their workplaces. That is not acceptable.

It's important that we don’t let that small group of misguided people win this fight. We can’t let censorship through the door. We must keep the right to choose what we and our children can read, not let others take that decision away from us. We must defend our libraries and library workers. Now is the time to step up.

This National Library Week, I still encourage you to go to your local library. While you’re there, please tell a library worker that you appreciate what they do (or if you’re too shy, fill out a comment form and tell them in writing).  If you have the bandwidth to do more, please contact your school board, city council, and/or members of Congress to tell them what great work libraries do, and urge them to stand up for the right to read. Write a letter to the editor or make a post on social media. Spread the word—libraries rock! And we need them more than ever.

You can learn more about how to be a library supporter at Unite Against Book Bans at https://uniteagainstbookbans.org.

Happy National Library Week!