NOTICE:Our May program with Linda McCann has been canceled but we have a new program with a similar theme that same day called, "It's Our War, Too! American Women in World War II." This program will start an hour earlier on Thursday, May 9 @ 5:00 PM. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

Urbandale Public Library/National Library Week

National Library Week

Celebrate April 7-13, 2024! National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.

The theme for National Library Week 2024, “Ready, Set, Library!,” promotes the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most.Find your crew at your library’s author talks, workshops, and book clubs.

No matter where you find yourself on the roadmap through life’s journey—preparing for a new career, launching a business, or raising a family—your library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs.

Get ready to explore, become inspired, and connect with your library this National Library Week. Libraries are there for you, all the way to the finish line.

Events

Friday, April 5 @ 1:00 PM – Sunday, April 14, 2024:

MEGA Book Sale

Help build up your personal library in a sustainable way!

The Library will host a used book sale inside the ICN Room. Books, movies, magazines, audiobooks, and more for all ages will be available for sale for $1.00.

Book sale items can be purchased at the main Service Desk. Cash, personal checks, and credit cards* will be accepted. (*Credit card payments incur an additional fee of 3.95%.)

Please note: No holds and no returns on sale items.

Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 14, 2024:

Food for Fines

During this week-long event, bring in non-perishable food or new, full-sized personal care items to clear overdue fines from your library account!

  • 1 non-perishable food or 1 personal care item= $1.00
  • Donations apply to overdue fines/ late fees only. (Not processing, collection, ILL, replacement fees, book sale, printing, etc.)
  • Each item can only be applied to one account. (You cannot have $1.00 split between accounts.)
  • No limit to the number of items you can donate. (If you have $15.00 in fines, you can bring in 15+ items!)
  • No credit will be issued on accounts.
  • No items with expired labels will be accepted.
  • Donated items must be brand new, never used.

All item donations will benefit the Urbandale Food Pantry.

Help us celebrate!

Follow the Urbandale Public Library, American Library Association (ALA), and I Love Libraries on social media and join us on social media by using the hashtags #NationalLibraryWeek

About National Library Week

In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned by these implications, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee’s goals ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.” 

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!”