Today marks the beginning of National Library Week, an annual celebration of the important contributions of libraries and library workers to our communities. This year, recognizing these contributions is especially urgent: a few weeks ago, President Trump issued an executive order seeking to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the major source of federal funding for libraries in the United States. While these cuts will be felt most immediately in small and rural communities, the impacts will reverberate throughout the country and affect libraries, and library users, of all types.
This year’s National Library Week theme is “Drawn to the Library,” highlighting the ways in which libraries are sites of exploration, play, and creative expression. At the DePaul University Library, we seek to build a safe and inclusive environment for our users to explore their interests and build community with others. This week, we’d like to invite our DePaul community to celebrate National Library Week with us.
On Monday, April 7, stop by the Loop Campus Library anytime between 11am and 1pm to make a button or grab a sweet treat at our National Library Week kick-off event.
On Wednesday, April 9, we are hosting our inaugural Library Fest in the John T. Richardson Library from 3pm to 6pm. Library Fest is a free, mini-con style event, featuring a range of activities hosted by library staff and our partners. What can you expect?
- Browse our pop-up library of graphic novels and comics
- Sign up for a Chicago Public Library library card
- Play pop-culture themed games with DePaul’s Media and Popular Culture program
- Drop by the DIGI Lab to play Beat Saber – a virtual reality game where you have to keep up with the rhythm of your favorite song
- Learn about how the Writing Center can help you build your creative writing community
- Join a library-themed tabletop role playing adventure
- Make a recycled book paper craft
- Find your next favorite read with tarot-inspired reader’s advisory
- Discover your new favorite record at our vinyl listening station
- Upcycle comics into buttons, key chains, and more
Collect at least 4 stamps on your old school catalog card and win a prize! Did we mention that there will be snacks?!
Plus, stop by the Special Collections & Archives reading room anytime between 9:30am to 4:30pm on Wednesday for a pop-up exhibit featuring vintage games and other gems from our collection.
Finally – anytime this week – take five minutes to take action and protect federal funding for libraries. Use the American Library Association’s Show Up for Our Libraries toolkit to contact your member of Congress to support federal funding for libraries and share your story about how libraries have positively impacted your life and community.
We’re pretty excited to celebrate National Library Week with our DePaul community. We hope you’ll join us!