Celebrate Library Lovers Day!

Ah, Valentine’s Day—chocolates, cards, and flowers galore! Whether you are celebrating the holiday or powering through your Wednesday routine, there’s one thing about February 14th you may not know: Today is Library Lovers Day! It’s a unique occasion to show your local libraries just how much they are appreciated. To help celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to spread the library love:

1) If you do not have a library card already, here’s your chance! Find your nearest library and go get one!

2) Not sure what to read? Talk to librarians. Ask if they can provide a recommendation, and then spend your evening on a “blind date” with a book.

3) Donate! Most libraries have a Friends of the Library Society who use donated, lightly-used books to stock library shelves or resell the books at fundraising events. Organizations like Re-Book It, Better World Books, and Donation Town are great websites to help locate your nearest drop-off or schedule a pick-up. Other awesome organizations: Books For Africa, Operation Paperback, and Children’s Book Project.

4) Is there a book at home you haven’t curled up with yet? Today’s the day! Start (or finish) that book you’ve been meaning to read.

5) For our social media gurus: take a #shelfie! Show your shelf some #librarylove.

6) Looking to swap books? Little Free Libraries are sprouting up all over the country. Find out how to contribute to a local Little Free Library or start your own.

7) Are you a romantic? Write a love letter to your favorite library. Tell them why they’re great.

8) Follow your local bookstore or library’s social media pages for updates on readings and open mic nights. (Our eyes are on the Joyce Carol Oates reading at City Lights Books!)

9) Celebrate Black History Month and support an African American author or poet. Just a few writers we recommend: Simeon Marsalis, Helen Oyeyemi, Dawn Lundy Martin, and Tyehimba Jess.

10) Your library has more than just books! For the bay area, here’s a list of San Francisco Public Library events going on all month long. Oakland and Berkeley too.

11) See what volunteering opportunities are available. Try libraries or organizations such as Reach Out and Read, Reading Partners, or Learning Ally.

Regardless of what you choose to do this February, remember to love your library! Libraries provide us a sanctuary from the daily chaos. It’s a place for peace and quiet, a welcoming community for all, and an important part of your city or town’s culture. Keep calm and read on, fellow bookworms!