Love is in the air . . . in the stacks . . . and in your library’s calendar of events.
Happy National Library Lovers Month!
Libraries share the love of learning and literacy in a variety of ways. From programming tailored to the interests and needs of their communities to responsive service models designed for patron access and ease, libraries craft their missions and user experiences with love in mind.
The variety puts the phrase “different strokes for different folks” into action.
Some of us play Wordle and post our results on social media. Some of us browse library websites around the world and imagine what it must be like to visit.
Some of us probably do both.
My random search of the love happening in libraries this month includes:
At University of Alabama at Birmingham love comes in the form of technology training about augmented reality for real-world application. Their Augmented Reality Valentine’s Day Card workshop will be hosted by UAB Libraries. Participants will learn how to create a personalized digital card using an augmented reality program.
Flood victims of the recent winter storm are invited to visit the Spring Valley Library, which is serving as a County Local Assistance Center for Flood Victims. The service center will allow flood victims to meet with County and State representatives, as well as nonprofits, and aid organizations providing tips on how to properly document and clean up after water damage.
Kenton County Public Library in Kentucky is brimming with DIY events where teens and tweens are invited to make homemade Valentine’s Day cards for anyone special in their lives. They have a delicious looking Make & Take Valentine’s Cookie event for kiddos.
Full disclosure, my make & take cookies never get farther than the library lobby – crunch, crunch, munch, munch.
At NYU Libraries, they celebrate Love Data Week (February 12-16) by showing collaborative support for student, faculty, and staff on research projects.
Their Digital Humanities Potluck: Digital Humanities Data Services Snack-Off is a gathering of people interested in Digital Humanities. This space allows students, faculty, and staff alike to share knowledge about their respective fields and projects, potluck style! Guests are encouraged to bring works in progress to discuss with others or troubleshoot and, most importantly, an openness to conversation.
Every Valentine’s Day, Chapel Hill Public Library invites you to a birthday party for Frederick Douglass. Although Douglass never knew his birthdate, he chose to celebrate every year on February 14th.
Douglass Day 2024 will feature the general correspondence of Frederick Douglass from the Library of Congress. Participants will attempt to transcribe all 8,731 pages in one day with participants from around the country.
What is a transcribe-a-thon? Transcribe-a-thons are events in which people gather together to work side-by-side on a crowdsourcing transcription project.
Warren County Public Library is giving away seeds to help the community begin gardening. Their Seed Library is open through Spring and Summer seasons (or until supplies last) and is completely free.
Each person is able to check out up to 5 seed packets per day. The seed has all been donated by community members or seed companies.
Wherever and however you library, please do so with alacrity. The best ways to love and advocate for your libraries is to visit them, register for a library card account with them, and use their resources to enhance your life.
Supporting their funding and infrastructure is essential too!
I would hear about your library love stories at:
Sam for Libraries 
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