This may or may not be International Hug a Librarian Day. There’s some confusion online but then, librarians are too busy to keep up with fan clubs. These human search engines don’t just find information, they also review, organize, assess, explain, figure out, calm small children, put up displays, run programs, read aloud, expand collections, help those of us who need to hone down an area of interest, and much more. Why limit librarian love to one day?
There are at least nine reasons to adore libraries and the professionals who make these places adoration-worthy, so we probably need a more than just a Hug A Librarian Day. Perhaps a commemorative week or better yet, month.
Here are some ways to celebrate.
Surprise your favorite librarian with a hand-written thank you note.
Join the GeekMom book club.
Make gingerbread superhero cookies (because librarians are our heros).
Read This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All
Bring flowers, good coffee beans, homemade cookies, or a tray of fresh fruit for your librarians to enjoy.
Indulge in some banned book projects.
Wear an I Read Banned Books Bracelet
Cover a tote bag with quotes from your favorite literary characters.
Vote yes for library levies.
Start your own tiny library.
Surprise your favorite librarian with a gift. Consider a certificate for dinner, theater performance, massage, or to use at a locally owned store.
Watch campy librarian action movies
Attend library programs.
Shape snacks that look like books out of fruit leather, honey, and chocolate.
Organize your book collection into a lending library using book pockets
Make easy felt book covers , a more complex quilted composition book cover, or heck, try bookbinding.
Plan an Edible Book Festival.
Admit you’re a Book Zombie.
Read aloud books such as Librarian on the Roof! A True Story
Oh, and give your librarian a hug!
I am now sending a virtual hug to my dear friend, our school’s librarian, who endures the ravages of preadolescents every day after a two hour commute to get to a school that relegates her to a corner of the high school library, cheek by jowl with a high school librarian who resents sharing space deeply. It’s a wonder she stays – and yet, she worries more about funding for current books than keeping her own job, which might be on the cutting block after the upcoming budget wars.
She definitely deserves a hug!
I hug a librarian daily, my wife. Great suggestions. I think she’d particularly appreciate the coffee beans, library levy votes, and acceptance of all Book Zombies.