School Library Month: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about School Library Month (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. School Library Month is celebrated on April 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of School Library Month, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as interesting facts you might want to know about School Library Month.

📅 What day is School Library Month 2024?

In 2024, School Library Month is on Saturday, April 1st. It is the 1st Saturday in April; in 2024, it is Monday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all fascinating details and facts about April 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

School Library Month is celebrated every April, alongside National Library Week and National School Librarian Day. Many school library programs take part in this month-long celebration, recognizing the importance of libraries in our lives. Libraries have always been seen as essential places for children to learn and grow, offering a vast collection of books, archives, and educational resources. School libraries serve as a gathering place for children and parents alike, who come together to express their appreciation for books and the hard work of librarians. It is also an opportunity to encourage more young readers to explore the wonders of the library.

📜 School Library Month History

The concept of books, especially for kids, was introduced in the 17th century with works like Johann Amos Comenius’s “Orbis Sensualium Pictus,” which was the first picture book published in 1657. The invention of the printing press in 1455 made it easier for young people to access written materials, and influential thinkers like John Locke and publishers like John Newbery promoted the creation of enjoyable and educational products for children. However, for most of the 20th century, young people in the United States faced challenges in terms of affordability and availability of books and educational materials.

In the 1800s, there was a growing recognition of the importance of school libraries, and state legislatures, starting with New York in 1835, began providing financial support for these resources.

To further promote the significance of school libraries, the American Association of School Librarians (A.A.S.L.) established School Library Month on April 1, 1985. The inaugural celebration took place with a ceremony on the western steps of the United States Capitol. Lucille Thomas, who led the School Library Media Month Committee, played a key role in organizing National School Library Month. Thomas and her team collaborated on a comprehensive manual for the first national commemoration, spanning 52 pages.

✅ School Library Month Facts

🔖 The magicians’ library in New York
The Conjuring Disciplines Research Center is a specialized library that focuses on books about magic and related skills like hypnosis, belly dancing, juggling, and sleight of hand.

🔖 Librarians had a certain style of handwriting
During the nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries, a handwriting style called “library hand” was widely taught in schools for librarians.

🔖 France has a library of smells
The Osmothèque serves as a repository for perfumes, functioning as a library and archive. It houses a diverse collection of fragrance samples, encompassing both contemporary and timeless scents, ensuring the preservation and protection of their formulas.

👍 Why Is School Library Month Important

School Library Month promotes children’s learning and development. Children learn skills such as research, literacy, publishing, book renewal, and book return.

What could be better than complete silence, broken only by the sound of the book’s pages turning? The school library is the best place to read or study in peace and quiet.

Throughout the month, you can explore various learning styles and materials available at school libraries. Audiobooks and video material, as well as hardcover books and computers, are examples.

🙂 How To Observe School Library Month

⚡ Host a reading evening

⚡ Visit the library
To pay tribute to the month, the best approach is to visit the library. Engage in a conversation with the librarian, convey your appreciation for their hard work, and delve into the books by reading them.

⚡ Share your story
This is a good opportunity to experiment with different novels to see which ones are more and less appealing to you. Furthermore, it is an excellent practice for developing a love of reading at all levels of the class. You may share your love of reading and books with your loved ones by holding a reading evening, and there is no better time than School Library Month to do it.

📅 When is School Library Month?

Explore all 🔗 April holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Books holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about School Library Month. So be sure to check back soon.