Libraries and local news are kindred in many ways, including a shared mission of supporting our communities and providing information. Both libraries and news media have also faced funding challenges, and they stand together on the front lines defending the First Amendment.
Sam Helmick is the American Library Association’s (ALA) president for the 2025-2026 term. Helmick’s affinity for libraries began in college. “I volunteered there as an undergrad. I fell in love, and I realized that when libraries say, ‘welcome to all,’ that’s what they mean. There is something for everyone.”
National Library Week is April 19-25, 2026. This year’s theme is “Find Your Joy,” and the perfect pick for Honorary Chair of NLW is Mychal Threets, a librarian, host of “Reading Rainbow,” and author of the picture book, “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.”
“I could not be more jazzed. Mychal is such a blessing to our profession and the reading world,” Helmick said.
The week is comprised of theme days. For example, on Monday, April 20th, it is “Right to Read Day.” Though recent years have been disturbingly replete with news of efforts to ban books in libraries and schools, Helmick cited a study by UnitedAgainstBookBans.org that found 73% of book ban crusades are coordinated campaigns by special interest groups rather than local grassroots efforts.
“Libraries around the country celebrate this in different ways,” the ALA’s president said. “One of my favorites is Coralville, Iowa. They have a special chair in the middle of the foyer, where they read books that have been challenged. Folks volunteer for 15-minute slots.”
April 21st is “National Library Workers Day” — “a day when we look internally and really think about how the best asset any library has is its staff,” Helmick said. “We’re thought-partners, encouragers and way-finders. Our communities come to libraries, and they breathe life into the resources. We’re there to connect them with those resources.”
Formerly known as “National Bookmobile Day,” April 22nd is “National Outreach Day,” intended to spotlight all the ways libraries deliver services into the communities, meeting people where they are — for example, people who are homebound or imprisoned.
“And then on the 23rd, we’re asking our community to advocate, resource and support us,” Helmick said. “If libraries are going to continue to be a cornerstone of democracy, we need to ensure that we’re investing in them. So, this is ‘Take Action for Libraries Day.’ … We ask that you show up for libraries and connect directly with your representatives. We need to remind those in power that libraries work because we resource them. Libraries change lives because we are open, well-resourced and staffed, so let’s continue to make libraries part of the American story.”
Helmick cited a couple of statistics to demonstrate the value of libraries: “We have over 50 years — a half-century — of data that correlates having a teacher-librarian in a robust library in a school district with student success,” she said. “Another study found that there’s between $5.00 to $9.00 return on investment for every dollar of funding.”
Helmick welcomes the news community to join in the NLW celebration and to be allies for libraries.
“We have to share our stories, like how somebody found a job or learned a new language, how they discovered a recipe or a new home through the library. And how does the library make people feel connected? … We need to talk about our success stories,” Helmick said.
Gretchen A. Peck is a contributing editor to Editor & Publisher. She has reported for E&P since 2010 and welcomes comments at gretchenapeck@gmail.com.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here