- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- AppreciationBooksEducational
- Where:
- Philippines
- Date change rule:
- Every November
- Holiday emoji:
- 📚
Library and Information Services Month champions the vital role of libraries and information professionals throughout November. This month-long observance, originating from a 1991 Philippine Presidential Proclamation, aims to raise public awareness of the essential services libraries and information centers provide. Engage with your local library, explore digital resources, and thank a librarian for their dedication.
Want to sponsor Library and Information Services Month? Learn how
Expected Library and Information Services Month Deals
Throughout Library and Information Services Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to widespread appreciation and advocacy for information access. Organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) often partner with publishers and technology providers to offer discounted resources or free training for library staff. Local libraries may host special events, workshops, or ‘fine amnesty’ programs to encourage community engagement. Bookstores might run promotions on titles about library history or information science, while educational platforms could offer free courses on digital literacy. We will update this page with confirmed initiatives as November approaches, encouraging everyone to support their local information hubs.
Platform Guide for Library and Information Services Month
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #LibraryMonth. Share insights on the future of information science or highlight innovative library programs.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #LibraryMonth. Organize a virtual book club or share stories about your favorite library experiences.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #LibraryMonth. Participate in discussions about information literacy, censorship, or the evolving role of librarians in the digital age.
Library and Information Services Month Hero
Melvil Dewey
History of Library and Information Services Month
We are going through the age of information. The modern world is powered by information technology. Those with the most knowledge lead the world. But, that was not always the case. During the early days of human civilization, people were occupied mainly with the need for survival. As society progressed and human settlements became more established, systems of communicating and writing became necessary. The more complex human society became, the greater the need for knowledge. This, in turn, gave birth to written languages, where information was inscribed on stone tablets, parchment, and scrolls and shared with the community, then passed down to the next generation. Over time, written languages began to emerge.
Sanskrit, Tamil, and Egyptian are among the first systematic languages, developed between 3000 B.C. and 300 B.C. We started using them to record and pass down information.
Languages were not only used for information, but the demand for the writing of stories, poems, and literature flourished. People started to record things, and others learned to read everything they could. Reading also became popular, with the release of new books and information. In the 18th century, the accumulation of knowledge and technology was so vast it led to the Industrial Revolution, which continues through to the present. World-class libraries began to appear throughout various cultures. The era of science arose through the development of information centers like these libraries.
The Philippines understood the importance of libraries and exchanging information. To appreciate the importance of the services provided by libraries and other information centers, they declared the month of November as Library and Information Services Month in 1991.
Library and Information Services Month timeline
The first organized library is discovered in Nineveh and named after Ashurbanipal, the Assyrian ruler, and it contains approximately 30,000 cuneiform tablets.
The great library of Alexandria is thought to contain as many as 400,000 scrolls from all over the world.
Baghdad establishes one of its world-famous libraries, Bayt al-Ḥikmah which means ‘House of Wisdom.’
American writer Michael S. Hart establishes the oldest digital library through Project Gutenberg.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Library and Information Services Month
Local businesses can show appreciation for Library and Information Services Month by partnering with their community libraries. Consider sponsoring a ‘read-a-thon’ or a children’s story time event. Retailers could offer discounts to library cardholders or donate a percentage of sales to local library foundations. Coffee shops might host book discussions or provide a dedicated space for quiet reading. Emphasizing the value of local information hubs fosters community engagement and supports vital educational resources.
Library and Information Services Month FAQs
When is Library and Information Services Month?
Library and Information Services Month 2026 runs throughout November, celebrating the vital role of libraries and information centers.
How many libraries are there in the U.S.?
In 2026, there are approximately 116,867 libraries in the United States, including public, academic, school, and special libraries, serving millions of patrons annually.
What is the economic impact of libraries?
Public libraries generate an average of $4 to $5 in economic value for every dollar of taxpayer investment, through services like job search assistance, educational programs, and access to technology.
What services do modern libraries offer?
Modern libraries offer far more than just books, including digital resources like e-books and audiobooks, computer access, Wi-Fi, job search assistance, educational workshops, and community event spaces.
Library and Information Services Month Activities
Visit a library
Visiting a library is the best thing to do this month. Rekindle the joy of reading books and learning new information.
Take a friend to the library
Reading is one of the best pastimes, but not everyone understands this. Take a friend who does not usually read to the library and show them how entertaining and informative the whole process can be.
Read a book in a week
Challenge yourself to finish a book in a week. Choose your favorite genre and start reading now.
5 Facts About Libraries That You Should Know
Library specific handwriting
There is a specific handwriting style for librarians, and it is called Library hand.
Bats and books
The Joanina Library at the University of Coimbra in Portugal uses bats to control pests that attack books.
Largest library
The Library of Congress in Washington is the world's largest library.
Most stolen book
“The Guinness Book of World Records” ironically holds the record for being the most stolen book from public libraries.
Multinational library
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House are shared by both the U.S. and Canada, and it straddles the border.
Why We Love Library and Information Services Month
Reading is learning
Reading is an important hobby for many people. It can help inspire people to discover new information. Even if it is a book telling children's folklore, it can still teach valuable lessons.
It spreads the importance of reading
We love reading, and we love it even better when we can spread the importance of reading. This is a month when many people start their reading journey, and we love it.
It’s a commitment to information
Reading is learning. No matter how silly or simple a book you are reading may seem, it still contains a few pieces of information that you never knew or realized. Committing a month to reading is like learning new information throughout the month.
Library and Information Services Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | November 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | November 1 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | November 1 | Thursday |
| 2030 | November 1 | Friday |
Social Media Tips for Library and Information Services Month
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