Celebrate National Library Week 2026

“Find Your Joy” with Honorary Chair Mychal Threets

Award-winning librarian, author, and new host of the children’s program Reading Rainbow Mychal Threets will serve as Honorary Chair of National Library Week. 

"Celebrating libraries, thanking library workers, visiting libraries is how I find my joy. When [people] enter the world of libraries and stories, I am confident they will find not only their library joy but their courage to believe in their own story and maybe even share it with others." —Mychal Threets

National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries and library professionals play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. "Find Your Joy" is an invitation for people of all backgrounds to explore and discover what sparks joy in them at the library. Palo Alto City library invites you to:

• • Visit one of our 5 branch locations and bring along a plus-one, or two, or five!
  • Encourage a friend to sign-up for a library card—it’s a simple act that opens up a world of joy!
  • Browse our curated shelves, displays, and staff recommendation lists!
  • Check out an item from the Library of Things!
  • Join us for a storytime, book club or other library event (or all of the above!)

This National Library Week, libraries need your support more than ever. Book challenges and censorship efforts are still on the rise, and federal funding is under threat. These challenges don’t just impact libraries—they impact all of us. To learn more, kick-off NLW with a screening of the award-winning documentary The Librarians followed by a panel discussion with Authors Against Book Bans.

Can't make it Sunday April 19th? Here are some more ideas:

• • Tell Congress to #FundLibraries: we need advocates like you to pitch in and show your support before April 17.
  • Learn about ways you can Show Up for Our Libraries from ALA, all you need is 5 minutes!
  • Check out ALA's I Libraries initiative, 'cause we know you do!
  • Volunteer with the Friends of the Palo Alto Library (FOPAL).
  • Sign up for Palo Alto City Library's newsletter and stay up to date on what's happening at your library!