National Library Week: April 13 - 18, 2008

National Library Week is April 13-18, 2008.

Every April we celebrate the promotion and use of our all types of our nation’s library system. This week long celebration came to fruition in 1958 by the American Library Association.

This observance began in the 1950’s when researched showed that Americans were reading less and spending more time watching television and listening to the radio. A recent study (late 2007) has reported that 1 in 4 adults read zero books in 2006. Of the 25% reading only half read 4 books per year.

Remember the slogan “Reading is Fundamental”. That cliché is pure truth. Reading boosts your brain power. It reduces stress, improves memory, builds your vocabulary, increases your self esteem, and enhances creativity. Books are portable inexpensive forms of entertainment. You can pick up a book from the local library for little to no cost. It will provide you with hours of entertainment. The cost of the average movie ticket is $8-10. How many times have you heard or said “The book was so much better?” Consider the cost savings of reading. Do you remember reading your first book by yourself when you were a young child? Do you remember the joy it left you? Would you like that experience again?  Now visit your local library!

Julie Andrews was named Honorary Chair of National Library Week for 2008.

To learn more about National Library Week:

http://www.alastore.ala.org/sitesolution.taf?_sn=catalog&_pn=sub_category&_op=83