This week is National Library Week. Every year in April, the nation sets aside a week to celebrate the important role libraries play in our local communities. Today (Thursday) is “Take Action for Libraries Day”. While this may sound a bit aggressive and perhaps a bit overwhelming, there are a lot of little things you can do in your every day life to show your support for your local library. Let’s break it down into three actionable steps: Stay Informed, Tell Others, and Use the Library.

Stay Informed

With just a little effort you can keep up on what’s happening and what issues might be affecting the library you love. 

• Follow Hastings Memorial Library on social media. A quick search on Facebook or Instagram will lead you to the library’s account on each platform. A follow will allow you to keep up on all the latest library news and events all while you are doing your regular scrolling!
• Check out our website. If you are reading this, you obviously already know how to find the website.  Well done.  
• Read the library’s Annual Report. A digital copy of the 2023 report can be found here, but we also have paper copies available at the library. This will tell you all the great things that have been happening at the library over the past year.
• Attend a Library Board of Trustees meeting or a Grant City Council meeting. The Library Board meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:15PM at the library. City Council meetings take place the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at City Hall.               

Tell Others

In our small community, word of mouth is one of the best modes of communication we have. Libraries are for everyone, so we should make sure everyone knows about them.

• While you are on Facebook or Instagram, like and share the posts so others can be in the know. 
• Leave a review on our Facebook page and on our Google search landing page. Tell other people about what we’re doing right and let us know if there is anything we can improve on.
• Talk to your friends and family about library events, programs, and services.  
• Talk to community leaders about the library and let them know how important the library is to you. Library Board members, City Council representatives, County Commissioners, State Legislators, and our Congressional Representatives and Senators are all important people to contact and share your thoughts. 

•  Check out materials.  Come in and grab a book, or log on to Libby and download your favorites.
• Need computer access, photocopies, scanning or fax service? We can do all of those things right here at the library.
• Attend library programs and events and share event information with others. Events are always more fun with a friend!
• Ask about joining our Friends of the Library group or about volunteering some time to help out our library staff.