The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) is celebrating National Library Week, April 23-29, and invites everyone to connect with us during this time. National Library Week celebrates the contributions of the nation's libraries and library workers and promotes the use and support of public libraries. National Library Week has been sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1958 and is observed in libraries across the country each April. This year's theme is "There’s More to the Story."
“Many people have a traditional view of libraries as a place to check out books, but there’s so much more to explore at PLYMC,” said Maggie Henderson, PLYMC Strategic Communications Officer. “Every PLYMC location is a welcoming space that brings our communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, cooking classes, and so much more. PLYMC also plays a critical role in the economic vitality of the Mahoning Valley by providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for job seekers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. If you haven’t checked out the suite of services at PLYMC lately, we hope National Library Week inspires you to visit your closest library branch.”
Here are a few ways PLYMC is celebrating National Library Week:
Monday, April 23: Right to Read Day, opens a new window is a National Day of Action in support of the right to read. The State of America's Libraries Report is released, including Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2022.
Tuesday, April 24: National Library Workers Day: Patrons are encouraged to go on social media and give a shout-out to a favorite Library, take a selfie with a Librarian, or come up with their own unique way to say thank you.
Wednesday, April 26: PLYMC representatives will travel to Columbus to meet with members of the Ohio General Assembly and advocate for library funding in the budget and discuss the life-changing work of libraries.
Also on Wednesday, April 26: National Library Outreach Day (formerly National Bookmobile Day)—a time to celebrate library outreach and the dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. Services like our Library Pop-Up stops at community gatherings are essential to expanding the Library’s outreach in our community.
Follow PLYMC on social media (Facebook, opens a new window, Twitter, opens a new window, Instagram,, opens a new window and TikTok, opens a new window) and check www.libraryvisit.org, opens a new window for updates.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) has served the Mahoning Valley since 1880, when the Youngstown Library Association was officially created. With 15 branches across Mahoning County, including our Main Library in downtown Youngstown, the PLYMC is well known for signature services and programs like Summer Discovery and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. The mission and values of PLYMC to “connect, inspire, and enrich” position the Library to serve our communities by preparing children for kindergarten, promoting early literacy, assisting job seekers, connecting Valley residents to technology, and providing resources for small businesses.
