Celebrate the Unique Value of the Public Library Service

Society of Chief Librarians Supports National Libraries Day 2013

In thousands of public libraries across the UK, 9 February 2013 will be a special day. Someone will be helped to use the internet for the very first time. Others will get advice or find information which helps them to start a business, others may need help with homework, and lots of people will join a reading group. Saturday is an opportunity for communities to celebrate and promote the importance and value of their library service. Some public library services are hosting pop up libraries, to encourage people to register for a library card and discover the range of services that their library offers.

The Society of Chief Librarians fully supports National Libraries Day and we welcome the support from customers and the library community. Celebrating what libraries do for their customers, and what customers do for one another within libraries is important because it reinforces the uniqueness and value of the public library service.

SCL President, Janene Cox, said: ‘Last week we launched the Universal Offers and there has been a huge amount of very positive publicity welcoming this initiative. National Libraries Day is an opportunity to celebrate the difference that a thriving Public Library Service makes to communities and individuals lives. It enables us, as Library staff, to join with communities and really highlight the areas of our local service that we are most proud of.’

Events and celebrations can be found on the National Libraries Day website http://www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/