As most of you will know, it was the fifth annual National Libraries Day this Saturday gone and it is being hailed as the biggest ever, with over 850 events happening in libraries up and down the country.
In a testing time for public libraries, the underlying goal of this campaign is to show authorities and central government just how passionate people are about libraries and to entice some of those absent lovers of libraries back into their local branch. However, for many, the day was just a chance to celebrate a place of knowledge and community that they love to visit and work in.
CILIP CEO, Nick Poole, told the Bookseller:
“The outpouring of love for our national network of libraries on Saturday was truly inspirational. It’s an important moment to celebrate all the creative, transformation and unexpected things that happen when you step into a library. The vital importance of modern libraries to families and communities across the UK came through over and over again.”
Many of our customers were busy on Saturday with an array of activities:
National Libraries Day at Bookham Library. pic.twitter.com/CTx0UGn7Ae
— Bookham Library (@BookhamLibrary) February 6, 2016
There were talks from authors
Big thanks to @chrisewan & @claredonoghue for a great talk today at #Salisbury Library to celebrate #librariesday– Happy Salisbury readers! — Wiltshire Libraries (@WiltsLibraries) February 6, 2016
The Deputy Mayor got involved
Deputy Mayor Glyn Jones with children at Central Library in celebration of National Libraries Day #doncasterisgreat pic.twitter.com/ClTJQVqhhd
— Doncaster Libraries (@DoncasterLib) February 6, 2016
Some held craft sessions
Our 2nd craft session is happening now! Our craft leader is passing on her origami wisdom #NationalLibrariesDay #SurreyNLD16 — Redhill Library (@RedhillLibrary) February 6, 2016
Some sent letters to the children of their communities
#Libraryletters – celebrating National libraries day – a letter from our librarian to the children of our community. https://t.co/narX9ygTeb — Sefton Libraries (@SeftonLibraries) February 6, 2016
…and many received messages of thanks themselves
On #librariesday I would like to thank @DevonLibraries for their role in recuperation for my stepdad who has an ABI after a stroke ? — Alice (@MsABooKay) February 6, 2016
Thanks for helping me be the 4th most borrowed author from UK libraries last year. #NationalLibrariesDay https://t.co/5Uifi30X4Q
— Francesca Simon (@simon_francesca) February 5, 2016
And of course there were plenty of heartfelt stories shared
#librariesday pic.twitter.com/BpKvqguKWN — Nat. Libraries Day (@NatLibrariesDay) February 6, 2016
