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!