April 16th is National Librarian Day, a day set aside to thank Librarians for all they do for their communities. What comes to mind when you think of a librarian? Is it an older woman shushing you or quietly restocking books? Librarians-and libraries-offer so much more than books! Read on to learn more about the important role librarians play in their communities.
Education
- Answer patrons’ questions.
- Help find credible sources and information.
- Help patrons navigate technology with classes and one-on-one support.
- Promote life-long learning.
Community Support
- Help people find and fill out important forms.
- Conduct assessments to better understand the community’s unique needs.
- Create (or try to create) initiatives to help their patrons– like reducing library fines or creating free lunch programs at the library in the summer when schools are closed.
- Help patrons sign up for library programs and services.
- Community outreach to bring services and raise awareness of services to community spaces outside the library (like a senior center).
- Provide books and audiobooks by mail to homebound older adults (like AADL’s Library for the Blind and Print Disabled)
Social
- Recommend books community members may like
- Plan and run different programs at the library- including intergenerational programs.
Want to know more? Visit your local library!
