National Library Week: 6 Fun Things To Do In The Library

When most people think of libraries, they picture stacks of books and quiet people reading for hours. But while the main draw of a library is of course its impressive book collection, there’s so much more to it than that. Libraries offer so many services to people, along with the chance to learn and grow through the words of others. There are also plenty of fun library activities for students that span a spectrum of interests! And there’s no better time to learn more about what a library has to offer than during National Library Week. But what is National Library Week, and how can you participate in the annual celebration? Let’s find out.

What is National Library Week?
National Library Week is a yearly event that celebrates the importance and value of libraries, librarians, and other library workers, highlighting all these places and people do to help change and strengthen the lives of their communities. The annual celebration kicks off in the second week of April (23rd–29th in 2023). During that time, communities nationwide participate in events and other activities to show appreciation for the buildings that house literature and other vital written works.

The very first National Library Week began in 1958 to increase the amount of time people spent with books in hand. The reason for the event stemmed from the growth of radios and television in the mid-1950s. The American Library Association (ALA) aimed to bring back the curiosity of communities through the written word and other library events. Public, school, academic, and specialized libraries have all since participated in the week-long event.

How do you engage students in the library?
Instead of taking children to the library in a strict book-borrowing capacity, you want to show them the huge variety of reasons why the library is a fun place to be. Whether that means finding a student’s perfect book or showing them other activities, there’s something for everyone at the local library.

What can students do in the library?
Reading is the most important and transformational thing a student can do in the library. For those who have found their favorite genre and enveloped themselves in the stories of others, this fact is all but hard to ignore. However, many kids haven’t yet had the chance to discover what books or written works they are into because they don’t think they like reading. But everyone can enjoy reading – they just have to find the right story.

Aside from reading, students can also enjoy other library activities, such as dressing up as their favorite literary character. Children love to play make-believe, and there’s no better way to do it than to dress up as someone they feel exceptionally close to, like their favorite superhero or main character from their favorite book series.

What activities do you do in a library?
When it comes to figuring out new and exciting library activity ideas, it’s important to remember that books, although amazing to get lost in, are not the only library activities for kids. There is so much to do at the library – here are some ideas:

Library scavenger hunt
A library scavenger hunt allows children to get acquainted with the library in a way that doesn’t overwhelm them. It can be intimidating to step into a library, especially when you’re young and just learning how to read. But a scavenger hunt doesn’t test the language skills of a child. It simply asks children to seek out stories in a way that is fun, engaging, and helps them learn their way around their future favorite place. 

Bringing math into the equation
If you’re looking for library activities that promote math, look no further than a mapping exercise. For the exercise, children will have to use algebra, geometry, and analysis to create their own mapped-out version of the building and everything inside it.

Another great math-adjacent library activity is the Huey and Louie Meet Dewey exercise. Students will grab a selection of books and put them in order on a worksheet using the Dewey Decimal System. Not only will it keep children busy and engaged, but it also helps them learn where the books belong in the library and how to locate them in the future.

Writing exercises
Writing is a reading-adjacent activity that can help get the creative juices flowing and inspire children to read more often. If you’re looking for a good activity that drives a passion for reading and writing, look no further than writing exercises such as a book review.

Allow students to choose their own books; when they’re finished, they can write about their thoughts. This exercise is good for reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, and gives children a reason to keep turning until the last page. It may even inspire some children to pursue their writing careers beyond the library.

Connecting with poetry
Poetry can be an excellent way for students to connect with emotions outside of themselves, and in a library, there’s no shortage to choose from. Students can access whatever type of poetry they relate to most. Have the students write down their favorite poem and reflect on the feelings and emotions they experienced while reading it. This activity is best for older children in upper elementary grades.

Singalongs
There are so many books accompanied by songs that children can participate in. Instead of doing a simple book reading, you can add songs related to the characters and stories and have the children participate in a singalong within the library (chat with the library staff to organize this). This is one of the best library activities for preschoolers because it keeps them engaged and allows them to enjoy reading before they’re ready to pick up a book on their own.

There is no shortage of library activities for kids, and it’s essential during National Library Week to remind children just how important libraries are!

 

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