6 Ways Your Family Can Support Your Local Library
It’s National Library Week (April 7th-13th), and we’re thrilled to celebrate our local libraries. These public institutions are more than just buildings filled with books. They are vibrant community hubs, offering safe spaces for children and many programs and opportunities for adults. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, access free services, or join in on the fun activities, your library has something for everyone.
Supporting our local libraries is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to our community. Your support ensures that these libraries can continue to offer excellent free resources to all families and community members. Here are some effortless ways to show your support this week and throughout the year.
Be sure to check out Libraries with Free STEM Programs in Westchester
Use Library Services Regularly
Using your library services regularly is a breeze. The key is to sign up for a library card, a process that’s quick and easy, usually taking just a few minutes. Once you’re signed up, a world of free resources is at your fingertips. You can even start supporting from the comfort of your home as many libraries now have apps to connect to your library card, where you can borrow an audiobook or ebook directly from your phone. You can also borrow physical books, CDs, DVDs, and even laptops. Some libraries even offer unique services like borrowing a blood pressure monitor for at-home readings, catering to the diverse needs of our community.
Libraries offer many services, including free classes for children and adults, notary services, tax assistance, school resources, meeting room rentals if you need to reserve a space for a group, and more. Be sure to visit your local library or its website to see everything it offers.
Promote Library Services
Get others involved by promoting all the excellent services your local library offers. This is a great and easy way to support. Talking about all of the services provided by your library will spread the word and inform others about everything it offers. Promoting services would also boost the number of people signed up for a library card, which is crucial for keeping services available.
Participate in Events and Fundraisers
Libraries regularly hold monthly events and sometimes host fundraisers. Events can be anything from authors doing a reading to seasonal workshops. A lot of times, libraries will have events for students in mind; if they are on break during the school year and are looking for a fun and safe place to go, libraries are perfect. These events are great for parents looking to fill that time as well.
Libraries also regularly host fundraisers. Participating in fundraisers is a considerable way to support and could be very beneficial to any reader wanting to purchase a book, as they often do book sales to raise funds; many times, these books are sold at a fraction of their original cost. It’s a win for everyone.
Become a Friend of The Library
Library Friend Groups are groups that help support the library, often by sponsoring special programs, donating books, and even helping to purchase furniture. Library Friend Groups help fill the gaps that library budgets can’t fill. Information on these friend groups can often be found on your library’s homepage.
Volunteer
Libraries all have special volunteer programs for community members to join and help however they can. These are especially beneficial for families with teens. Many libraries have volunteer programs that work with local high schools to help teens develop skills. These programs are a great way to learn skills that can help with future jobs and provide volunteer credit, which every student needs.
Donate
Libraries always accept donations, whether books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Most of the time, libraries accept these donations as long as they are in good condition. Keep in mind that many community members will use these donations, and they need to be in good condition so that they can be used for an extended period of time. Call your local library to see their donation process and how you can support them.
Supporting your libraries is not only important but also easy, and it can even be done with the entire family. Every small action counts and can make a big difference for your local library.
