ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


7 6 /C & RL News

A time to celebrate

By Linda K. W allace

This year’s National Library Week 
is April 9– 15

N ational Library Week (NLW), coming uApril 9– 15, is our national holiday— a tim
to celebrate the life-changing contributions o
all our nation’s libraries— public, school, an
academic. Here are some ideas to help yo
celebrate this annual event.

W hat you can do
• Be a lib rary advocate. Join your state’

delegation to Library Legislative Day on Capi
tol Hill on May 9. Write letters to your electe
officials or local newspaper to urge support fo
library and information issues. Involve othe
faculty, administrators, and students in speak
ing out on behalf of libraries (see “Pass a Buck
on page 79).

• J o i n  th e  ch o ru s. Advertisers know i
takes seven impressions to have a message re
membered. ALA’s national theme— “Librarie
Change Lives”— is an opportunity for librarian
to have greater impact by focusing on a single,
powerful message. ALA Graphics offers a ful
line of posters and other promotional material
such as “Libraries Change Lives” quote cards t
send as invitations to a reception or other spe

A pp ly for the NLW grant
Plan now to apply for the 1995 Grolier 

National Library Week Grant. The grant of 
$2,000 is awarded annually to the best pro­
posal for a public awareness campaign tied 
to the theme and goals of National Library 
Week. The deadline is October 10, 1995. 
For guidelines and application form, con­
tact the ALA Public Information Office, 50 
E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; phone: (800) 
545-2433 ext. 5044.

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cial event at the library. The campaign tip sheet 
includes sample media materials and public- 
service ads featuring well-known library users 
to run in your newsletter and other campus 
publications (see sample on page 78).

• C ollect “Libraries Change Lives” sto­
ries. It can be a rewarding activity. Offer prizes 
to those who share statements o f 100 words or 
less about how libraries have made a differ­
ence in their lives. The Public Relations De­
partment at Onondaga Community College in 
Syracuse, New York, placed articles in both stu­
dent and community newspapers and published 
an inspiring booklet o f testimonials collected 
by the library. Those who send copies of 25 or 
more statements to the ALA Public Information 
Office will receive a free Microsoft Encarta 
Multimedia Encyclopedia.

• R each  ou t to th e m edia. NLW adds an 
element of timeliness that can help place a story 
that might not be considered newsworthy at 
another time o f year. Suggest a feature to your 
campus or community newspaper about your 
“Libraries Change Lives” winners. Create and 
publicize a list o f questions answered by your 
staff ranging from the most challenging to the 
most common. Provide a series of colorful “Did 
you know. . . ” factoids about the library’s his­
tory, services, and use (e.g., “xxx students vis­
ited the library last year— more than attended 
all sporting events combined”).

• Last, but n o t least, have fun. Hold a 
daily drawing for “Libraries Change Lives” t- 
shirts, notepads, etc. Have staff answer the 
phone with the greeting “Happy National Li­
brary W eek.” Host a campuswide coffee break.

Library promotion and advocacy is a year- 
round effort, but National Library Week comes 
only once a year. Take advantage o f it. And 
remember, if you don’t celebrate, who will?

CCont. on  p a g e  78)

L in d a  K. W allace is d ire c to r o f  th e ALA P u b lic 
I n fo rm a tio n  O ffice; e-m a il: lin d a .w a lla c e@ a la .o r g

mailto:linda.wallace@ala.org


February 1 9 9 5 /7 7

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