Libraries Work Because We Do! Celebrate National Library Workers Day, April 10

National Library Workers Day is April 10, a day in which communities across the U.S. will recognize the contributions made by all library workers – including librarians, support staff and others who make library services possible.

Celebrated on the Tuesday of National Library Week (April 8-14, 2012), National Library Workers Day is sponsored by the ALA-APA, an organization that manages certification programs for library employees and advocates for better salaries and status for the library workforce, is the sponsor of National Library Workers Day. The day’s theme is “Libraries Work Because We Do!”

“Library workers play a vital role in helping patrons succeed in a digital world,” said Lorelle Swader, director of the ALA-APA. “From computer classes for seniors to resume workshops for job-seekers to assisting entrepreneurs with research, library employees are an invaluable asset to any community and National Library Workers Day is great way to recognize them for it.”

As more employers and government agencies provide information exclusively in a digital format, communities rely on public library staff and technology services more than ever. According to the American Library Association’s 2010-2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, more than 72 percent of libraries report that library staff helped patrons complete online job applications. In fact, an estimated 300,000 people receive job-seeking help at public libraries each day.

Libraries don’t just offer the hardware, but also offer the expertise of librarians in helping teach their patrons how to use the Internet and find the information they need quickly. For example, during a typical week, academic libraries had more than 31 million searches in electronic databases, answered more than 469,000 reference questions, and made more than 12,000 group presentations attended by more than 219,000 students and faculty (ACRL Academic Library Trends and Statistics 2010).

Library patrons are encouraged to nominate “star” library employees for public recognition on the National Library Workers Day Website. Anyone may nominate a “Star” library worker or team for creativity, enthusiasm, customer service or that special something they add to a library. Stars can be anyone - students, workers or supervisors.

Submitted by Jennifer Petersen, Public Information Office

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