Find Your Joy during National Library Week

National Library Week at Norway Memorial Library

The American Library Association’s (ALA) National Library Week theme for 2026 is “Find Your Joy.” The theme is based on a new book by Mychal Threets, “I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy.” Threets is an award-winning librarian, new host of the children’s program “Reading Rainbow,” and honorary chair of ALA’s National Library Week, April 19-25, 2026. The week celebrates the essential role libraries and library professionals play in community life.

Norway Memorial Library has planned the following activities:

On Tuesday, April 21, add to the community joy board by adding a note, a drawing, or responding to a prompt such as “a small thing that makes my day better is…”, “I feel happiest when…”, or “I find joy at the library when…” The joy board and supplies to add to it will be available beginning Monday, April 13.

On Wednesday, April 22, Library Outreach Day, the public is invited to take a break in the library. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., coffee and cookies will be available.

Thursday, April 23, is Library Advocacy Day. Learn about how you can be an advocate for libraries. One of the best ways to advocate for libraries is to get a library card.

On Friday, April 24, the library will hold a “Find your (Almond) Joy in the Library” scavenger hunt. To participate, library visitors will choose a slip of paper with the location of a library item on it. They will find the corresponding item, remove the note they find inside, and bring it to the information desk, where they will receive a sweet treat. The scavenger hunt will continue while supplies last.

First observed in 1958, National Library Week is an annual observance by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April.

Norway Memorial Library is at 258 Main Street, Norway, Maine. For more information, call 207-743-5309, ask at the information desk.