National Library Week 60th Anniversary

"The National Library Week 2018 celebration will mark the 60th anniversary of the first event, sponsored in 1958. In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from 'encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time' to 'improving incomes and health' and 'developing strong and happy family life.' In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme 'Wake Up and Read!'" - American Library Association