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2021 Michigan Library Appreciation Month
Get ready to celebrate Michigan Library Appreciation Month! This October we are celebrating Michigan libraries and library staff and highlighting all the many ways libraries keep our communities connected!
Join us in participating in Michigan Library Appreciation Month and help us highlight just how much of an impact our libraries have made in the lives of Michiganders and how libraries and library staff help keep us connected while we need it most.
There are several ways libraries, library staff and patrons can get involved! Check out promotional resources including a content calendar with suggested activities and posts, social media and website graphics, social media graphic templates, a sample press release and more. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and share our daily posts featuring fun facts, stats and inspirational quotes to help spread the Michigan library love.
Plus, don’t forget to register to join hundreds of Michigan library professionals online on October 13-14 at the MLA 2021 Virtual Conference to Connect to the Future, and plan to tune in on October 13 to celebrate and honor outstanding libraries and library workers at the Michigan Library Awards!
Help us Celebrate Michigan Libraries!
Check out social media ideas, newsletter copy, graphics and more resources and easy ways to participate in Michigan Library Appreciation Month and plan to join the celebration to highlight Michigan libraries, librarians, and library workers all October long!
To help promote Michigan Library Appreciation Month to your community we’ve created a calendar of ideas! Use these prompts on social media, your website, e-newsletters, etc. Some are plug-and-play links for you to copy and share. Some are prompts to personalize. Some are ideas to highlight your library and all that it contains – the building, the collection, the staff, and the fun!
Have fun with this and remember to hashtag your posts #LOVEMILIBRARIES and #MILIBRARYMONTH so we can share the library love! Check out the public Google Calendar (please scroll to October to see suggestions).
 Graphics and Templates
Social Media
Download social media graphics and check out our Canva templates to create your own Michigan Library Appreciation Month Posts.
Printable Posters
Download printable posters or use our Canva template to create your own!
Michigan Library Appreciation Month - Printable Connect to... Posters.pdf
Proclamation
We will offer several ways libraries, library staff and patrons can get involved. In August, we ask that you submit the Michigan Library Appreciation Month proclamation to your local elected officials to give them time to proclaim their support! Issuing a proclamation can sometimes take a few months but it's simple to do. Just identify a council member, mayor or supervisor to sponsor the proclamation and check out your local city, county or township website for contact information.
Press Releases and Newsletter Copy
A great way to celebrate and promote your library during Michigan Library Appreciation Month is by sharing news of how your library continues to connect your community to resources and information.
Check out our press release templates and sample patron newsletter copy! You can edit and customize the drafts to highlight how your library is keeping your community connected.
Whether your library connects patrons to trusted health information, fun events or programs that bring people safely together, or your library connects patrons to tools and supplies to finish a project or start a hobby, technology like wifi hotspots or tablets to connect patrons to the internet, or books and entertainment for a break from the stress of the pandemic - this is a great time to get the word out about the wonderful things your library does.
Member/Patron Newsletter Copy
October is Michigan Library Appreciation Month!
This October, the [Name of library] is helping to highlight the valuable ways in which libraries and library staff across the state have been keeping communities connected to resources and content that informs, entertains, and enlightens.
We invite you to connect to the library this month online or in person! You can explore a variety of digital content, from ebooks, audiobooks, movies, games, and more--including virtual storytimes and events hosted via Zoom--all from home. Or visit the library in-person to browse the shelves, get reference help or book recommendations, or hop on public computers and wifi. [add your programs or services]. All of these services are free! The connections can continue to happen, at home, on the go, or now, finally, in person!
Don’t have a library card? It’s easy to sign up. [add instructions like “Visit us online at www.website.org, visit our circulation desk, or contact us with any questions at [phone] or [email]”].
Michigan Library Appreciation month is a statewide observance sponsored by the Michigan Library Association (MLA) and libraries of all types across the state each October.
For more information, visit the library’s website at [provide URL].
Share the Library Love
Throughout October, [Name of Library] invites patrons and all Michiganders to show their appreciation and support for our libraries and all the amazing people who work in them! Share a post about the library services you appreciate most of all--using the hashtag #MILibraryMonth and #LoveMILibraries – and don’t forget to follow us and tag us on social media! [ add your social media handles/links]
Want to be featured on social media by the Michigan Library Association (MLA)? Share a photo and quote about how your library connects you to what matters most. MLA is collecting quotes or testimonials and corresponding photos from Michigan residents about why they love their library, how their library has kept them connected to the community, resources and information, or how a library worker impacted their life during the past year. Visit MLA's website to submit your photo and quotes.
Submit a Photo or Quote
Share quotes or testimonials and photos from your library patrons or staff to help us celebrate Michigan’s libraries this October!
We are collecting quotes or testimonials and corresponding photos from library personnel and Michigan residents about why they love their library, how their library has kept them connected to the community, resources and information, or how a library worker impacted their life during the past year.
We are looking for original photos that tell a story! Examples include photos of library curbside services in action, patrons attending virtual programs from home, photos of library workers mentioned in a quote, or patrons using library services in the library.
We know many libraries collect quotes and testimonials, will you help us celebrate all Michigan libraries this October by sharing the feedback you are most proud of and a corresponding photograph?
Past Michigan Library Appreciation Month Celebrations
2020
During these unprecedented times, Michigan libraries have expanded their access to digital content and found innovative ways to continue their programming virtually. Help us highlight the amazing work our libraries continue to do to support our communities, and promote all of the amazing virtual, digital and distance programs, services and collections available and waiting for Michigan library patrons to discover.
There are several ways libraries, library staff and patrons can get involved. Last month we asked that you submit the Michigan Library Appreciation Month proclamation to your local elected officials to give them time to proclaim their support. If you have not done so already, it's not too late! We encourage you to contact your elected officials as soon as possible - contact information can be found on your local city, county or township website. Issuing a proclamation can sometimes take several weeks but it's simple to do.
We also have several other ways to get involved! Download social media and website graphics, sample posts, a sample press release and more, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and share our daily posts featuring fun facts, stats and inspirational quotes to help spread the Michigan library love!
Check out promotional resources and ideas to get patrons involved and join the celebration to highlight Michigan libraries, librarians, and library workers all October long!
Digital Graphics
Contact Rachel Ash at [email protected] for inDesign files you can use to create your own Michigan Library Appreciation Month social media graphics.
Sample Social Media Posts
This #MichiganLibraryAppreciationMonth, visit [your library’s website link] to discover ebooks, movies, music, video games and so much more. #LoveMILibraries
Check out [your library] online selection of free entertainment this #MichiganLibraryAppreciationMonth. From virtual storytimes to movies to audiobooks, you can access them all from home. Learn more at [link].
Support your library this ##MichiganLibraryAppreciationMonth all October long, by visiting [website] and following [us/them] on social media. #LoveMILibraries [link]
#MichiganLibraryAppreciationMonth is a great time to visit [your library’s] website [link] for access to free books, movies, music and more! RT this message to show your support of Michigan libraries and all they do to serve their communities during uncertain times. #LoveMILibraries
Have a student at home? This #MichiganLibraryAppreciationMonth is a great time to discover all our libraries offer to support students and their families! Visit [link] to access educational materials and resources to help your student explore and discover!! #LoveMILibraries
Ideas to Celebrate With Patrons
Here are a few ideas to get you started and help you celebrate and connect with your library patrons during October 2020.
Selfie Day. October 26 is Michigan Library Appreciation Month #Selfie Day! Gather your staff on Zoom or at the curbside and take a group selfie shot. Send it to MLA and post on social media for lots of great attention. Don’t forget to hashtag #LoveMILibraries. And above all else, this year, don’t forget to wear your masks and promote physical distancing and safety.
Create a “Kid Picks” or “Staff Picks” book display. If you are open, invite kids to suggest their favorite books for a display, along with a note about why they liked it and why they think others should read it. Staff can participate too!
Share your successes on social media. Do your patrons know how many books you check out each year? How many library cards you have issued? How many visitors you get? Who your stellar staff are? These are great facts that many don’t know about. Don’t forget to share this on social media and don’t forget to hashtag #MichiganLibraryAppreciationMonth #LoveMILibraries
Host a Michigan author or artist event. Invite a local author, poet or illustrator to speak to patrons about their craft online at a virtual event!
Scavenger hunts and games. Have a contest to see if anyone can guess how many books are in the library. Find hidden “golden tickets” for prizes.
“I Love My Library because….” Ask everyone to contribute a simple and quick statement, written on a standard white card with a big red heart that you can post on your windows where your patrons can view them from the outside or on your walls if you are open.
Ask Patrons to Share on Social Media. Encourage your community to share some love on social media for your virtual library services during October. Ask them to post about an ebook, audiobook, virtual storytime or book club, or how your library has made a difference while they've been social distancing.
Advocate. Don’t forget to take a few minutes to write, call, email or visit your local legislators and thank them for their support of Michigan Libraries. This would be the perfect opportunity to also ask them if they would read a book to the children of your community online.
2019
Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a special message in honor of Michigan Library Appreciation Month. She affirmed her support for libraries and welcomed attendees to the MLA 2019 Annual Conference. Libraries are essential to our communities and empower people from all walks of life. Thank you to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for showing support for our libraries!
The Resolution is Adopted!
Michigan Library Appreciation Month Senate Resolution 79
Senate Resolution 79 is a resolution to recognize October 2019 as Michigan Library Appreciation Month. Thank you to State Senator Jim Stamas and the Michigan Senate for showing support for Michigan libraries! #StrongerTogether #MILibraryAppreciationMonth #LOVEMILibraries
Michigan Library Appreciation Month Resolution Adopted in the House
House Resolution 170, a resolution to declare October 2019 as Library Appreciation Month in the state of Michigan, has been adopted in the House! We are grateful to State Representative Mark Huizenga and the Michigan House for showing support for our libraries! #StrongerTogether #MILibraryAppreciationMonth #LOVEMILibraries
Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily inspiration white we celebrate Michigan Library Appreciation Month. Help spread the word in your community, schools and businesses and encourage all citizens of Michigan to visit and use the library to explore the wide variety of cultural and educational riches that our libraries hold!
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