Find You Joy - National Library Week

National Library Week is approaching fast! Library Week is April 19th through the 25th this year, and it is the perfect time to appreciate libraries and their contribution to community, as well as library staff. As you probably know, libraries are far more than just a place for books. Each day, libraries are providing integral services for their communities - for free! At the Goddard Public Library, our staff work to provide books, programs, as well as access to computers, Wi-Fi, digital services, and so much more. We aim to provide a comfortable environment for browsing, studying, playing, or just hanging out.

This year's Library Week theme is "Find Your Joy." Our joy is right here at the library, helping and connecting with the people of our community! Our staff have shared their most joyful things about our library:

• Carrie - "As a library director, what brings me the most joy is seeing the impact our work has on the community every single day. Whether it's helping a child discover a love of reading, supporting a lifelong learner in finding new resources, or creating programs that bring people together, the library is a place where meaningful connections happen. I take pride in knowing that our space is welcoming to everyone—a place for curiosity, creativity, and belonging. It's the small moments, from patron's gratitude to the excitement of a successful program, that continually remind me why this work matters and make it so rewarding."

• Peggy - "My joy is working with an amazing director and co-workers. Seeing how excited and happy our patrons get over new items and programs we offer brings me great happiness. I love finding the hard to get books for people. When in doubt, go to the library!"

• Nicole - “My library joy is watching patron’s reactions to services and events. Seeing the joy that we can bring the community each day, whether just with books, events, or helping patrons print or with computers, makes me so happy. There is a special joy in assisting patrons of all ages, but it is always so rewarding to watch our littlest patrons grow and helping our oldest patrons thrive with the help of our services and materials.”

• Debra - "I love being part of the special events and programs that bring families in our community together. It’s rewarding to help provide the space and activities where people can connect and enjoy time together."

• Nicole J. - "I enjoy working with fellow staff members, discovering new books that circulate through the library, and the overall relaxed atmosphere. In a world that's often fast-paced, I love being able to help maintain a space that feels safe, calm, and full of endless possibilities. There's a special kind of peace that only exists between the stacks."

• Becky - "My greatest joy is when I am able to help patrons find something new to read, or to use some of the resources that they didn't know about."

Library Week Days

Monday, April 20th is Right to Read Day. Right to Read Day takes a stand against book bans, spreading the message of the “Freedom to Read.” Over the past few years, attempts at censorship in the form of book bans has skyrocketed. The America Library Association (ALA) reported that, in 2024, 821 censorship attempts were recorded across the country (American Library Association, 2025). Libraries and library staff, both academic and public, continue to fight censorship to protect their communities’ Right to Read. A great way to celebrate the right to read is by reading a book from a banned or challenged book list. You can find a list on our Aspen Discovery Catalog here: https://goddardlibrary.aspendiscovery.org/MyAccount/MyList/281

Tuesday, April 21st is Library Worker’s Day. Library workers do far more than just check books out, shelve books, and offer reading recommendations. In honor of appreciating the work that library staff do on a daily basis, here is what just some library processes look like at GPL:

• Book ordering and processing - First, Carrie orders books based on awards lists, bestsellers, new release lists, and patron requests. Then, Peggy catalogs each title in the system - a process that is sometimes fairly easy when a title already exists in the system, and sometimes difficult when she needs to curate a whole new record for the title. Next, staff members cover the books and add barcodes, spine labels, and any additional stickers needed. After that, new items are pictured, or filmed for a reel, to share the new content available to you. Last, books are checked in and placed on our new shelves, ready for check out!

• Story Time - Ms. Carrie picks her books, songs, and activities for weekly and traveling story times. Once she knows the theme, she begins preparing the take home packets handed out at each story time. Packets often include coloring activities and stickers that align with the theme. Packets are printed (usually about 50 for Monday and Tuesday each week and over 400 for monthly traveling story times) and any additional materials needed are ordered. Then, the packets have to be assembled. We have a few weekly volunteers that help us stuff packets, but when they are not able to make it to the library, staff will stuff them.

• Book Courier Deliveries - KanShare and Inter Library Loan (ILL) requests are delivered to GPL three days a week - Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each book delivery day is assigned to one of three staff members. Bags are unloaded, books are sorted between the ones on hold and ones returning to our shelves, and then each hold is sorted by patron requesting item. Each hold is then checked in to take it off what is called the Transfer List, and approved to hold for the patron. This approval triggers automated email and text message notifications, letting the patron know their hold is available for pick up. Finally, holds are organized on a shelf in the staff work room.

These are just a few of the reoccurring tasks staff complete each week at the library.

Wednesday, April 22nd is Library Outreach Day. Ms. Carrie is far more than just our library director. Each month, Ms. Carrie visits over 400 preschool children in the Goddard-area with “Traveling Story Time.” After each visit, children get to take home a fun activity packet to complete. Ms. Carrie also travels to the Goddard nursing homes, reading with residents and providing books to them. She hosts a book club with some Dove Estates residents and reads picture books to those with dementia. Ms. Carrie also helps lead and participates in Books & Conversations, a monthly book club hosted in partnership with the Goddard Senior Center.

Thursday, April 23rd is Take Action for Libraries Day. If you are a library lover, you may know that some libraries across the country rely on additional funding and grant services through the federal government. Federal library funding is currently in question for next year. As Congress is planning budgets for Fiscal Year 2027, it is important to urge elected officials to fully fund integral library services. If you would like to learn more on how you can make an impact, visit the I Love Libraries website.