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National Library Week 2026: Find Your JoyNational Library Week 2026: Find Your Joy<div class="ExternalClass230F967F1A9F46C0B582CAFFEC82FE43"><div><div><h4>"There are so many library kids and library grown-ups who have yet to fully embrace their library joy, and I am so excited for them! When they enter the world of libraries and stories, I am confident they will find not only their library joy but their courage to believe in their own story and maybe even share it with others.” </h4><h3>- Mychal Threets, National Library Week Honorary Chair​<br><br></h3><h2>Find Your Joy at Phoenix Public Library!<br></h2><p>​This year (and every year!), Phoenix Public Library wants every member of the Phoenix community to find their joy at the library! Discover all that Phoenix Public Library has to offer by <a href="/services/borrowing/get-your-library-card">becoming a customer with a new Phoenix Public Library card</a>, by <a href="/services/programs">attending a program</a>, <a href="/locations">by visiting us</a>, or by trying out one of many of the Library's signature services - <a href="/about/start-with-us"><strong>Start With Us</strong></a><strong>!</strong><br></p><p><strong>What is your joy? Let's go find it!</strong><br></p><h2>About National Library Week<br></h2></div><p>National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.</p><p>In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious.  They ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life."</p><p>In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!"  The 2025 celebration marked the 67th anniversary of the first event.</p><p>Read more about the <a href="https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/03/01/national-library-week-60th-anniversary-libraries-lead/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="604267263e520ca59416d0a9" target="_blank">history of National Library Week</a> at American Libraries magazine​.​<br></p><div><h2>Celebration Days During National Library Week</h2></div><h3>Monday, April 20</h3><p><a href="https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-read-day/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="604267263e520ca59416d0a9" target="_blank">Right to Read Day</a>, a day for readers, advocates, and library lovers to take action to protect, defend, and celebrate the right to read. The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its <a href="https://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2025" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="604267263e520ca59416d0a9" target="_blank">State of America's Libraries Report</a>, including the list of Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2025.<br></p><h3>Tuesday, April 21</h3><p><a href="https://ala-apa.org/nlwd/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="604267263e520ca59416d0a9" target="_blank">National Library Workers Day</a>, a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.<br></p><h3>Wednesday, April 22</h3><p><a href="https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek/national-library-outreach-day" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="604267263e520ca59416d0a9" target="_blank">National Library Outreach Day</a> (formerly National Bookmobile Day), a day to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are.<br></p><h3>Thursday, April 23</h3><p>Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates to support libraries. ​</p><h2>​Enjoy some books about library joy!​<br></h2><p><br></p></div></div>

 

 

 

 

Artwork by Lorraine Nam from "I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy" by Mychal Threets.Artwork by Lorraine Nam from "I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy" by Mychal Threets.https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/images/Lists/Staff Picks/NLW26_Find-Your-Joy_web.jpg1351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Your Phoenix Public Library StoryShare Your Phoenix Public Library Story<i class="fa-solid fa-comment-heart"></i>https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/Lists/Links/DispForm.aspx?ID=1469<div class="ExternalClass57CAD567C551494BB3449D39B12FE39E"><p>​Let us know what the library means to you! Share anything from a fun anecdote to a fond memory. <br></p></div>https://forms.office.com/g/b8jV0SPcLzNew Window

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book comes home : a banned book's journeyBook comes home : a banned book's journeySanders, Rob.8245084Book0593813685https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22Book%20comes%20home%22%20sanders&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Digging for words : José Alberto Gutiérrez and the library he builtDigging for words : José Alberto Gutiérrez and the library he builtKunkel, Angela Burke6024500Book9781984892638https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22digging%20for%20words%22%20kunkel&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Every day I read : 53 ways to get closer to booksEvery day I read : 53 ways to get closer to booksHwang, Po-rŭm8830489Book9781639737796https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22every%20day%20I%20read%22%20hwang&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Everything in its place : a story of books and belongingEverything in its place : a story of books and belongingDavid-Sax, Pauline6754751Book9780593378823https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22i%27m%20so%20happy%20you%27re%20here%22%20threets&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Good books for bad children : the genius of Ursula NordstromGood books for bad children : the genius of Ursula NordstromKephart, Beth7341908Book9780593379578https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22good%20books%20for%20bad%20children%22%20kephart&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
I'd rather be reading. A Library of Art for Book Lovers [electronic resource]I'd rather be reading. A Library of Art for Book Lovers [electronic resource]De La Mare, Guinevere.6555072Book9781452158594 (electronic bk.)https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22I%27d%20rather%20be%20reading%22%20mare&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
I'm so happy you're here : a celebration of library joyI'm so happy you're here : a celebration of library joyThreets, Mychal, 1990- author.8848899Book9798217026029https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22i%27m%20so%20happy%20you%27re%20here%22%20threets&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Property of the rebel librarianProperty of the rebel librarianVarnes, Allison5474756Book9781524771478https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22property%20of%20the%20rebel%20librarian%22%20varnes&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Same pageSame pageSwartz, Elly8057019Book9780593705605https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22same%20page%22%20elly&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
The library of unruly treasuresThe library of unruly treasuresBirdsall, Jeanne.8431729Book0525579044https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22library%20of%20unruly%20treasures%22%20birdsall&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
The little libraryThe little libraryMcNamara, Margaret6217659Book9780525578338https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22the%20little%20library%22%20mcnamara&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
The uncommon readerThe uncommon readerBennett, Alan, 1934-3867251Book9780374280963https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22the%20uncommon%20reader%22%20bennett&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Waiting for the BiblioburroWaiting for the BiblioburroBrown, Monica, 1969- author.6552430Book9780553538793https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22waiting%20for%20the%20biblioburro%22%20monica&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
What you are looking for is in the library : a novelWhat you are looking for is in the library : a novelAoyama, Michiko, 1970- author.7320374Book9781335005625https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22what%20you%20are%20looking%20for%22%20michiko&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Why we read : on bookworms, libraries and just one more page before lights outWhy we read : on bookworms, libraries and just one more page before lights outReed, Shannon7472150Book9781335007964https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22why%20we%20read%22%20reed&searchType=everything&pageSize=10
Wild things : the joy of reading children's literature as an adultWild things : the joy of reading children's literature as an adultHandy, Bruce4871870Book9781451609950https://discover.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/search?query=%22wild%20things%22%20bruce%20handy&searchType=everything&pageSize=10