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Return Borrowed Books Week encourages everyone to clear their library debts, running the first week of March each year. This observance champions the vital role libraries play in fostering knowledge and community. Take this opportunity to return any forgotten books, renew your commitment to responsible borrowing, and support your local library’s mission.
Want to sponsor Return Borrowed Books Week? Learn how
History of Return Borrowed Books Week
The oldest lending library in the United States is the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. It was founded in 1747 by a group of people guided by Abraham Redwood. During the Revolutionary War, the British used it as an officers club, and subsequently, many of its volumes were misplaced. But an effort was made, leading to over 90% of its missing book being recovered.
In 1848, the first extensive public library in the United States was established. It was called The Boston Public Library but was not opened to the public until 1854. And since then, many more public libraries have been built.
Return the Borrowed Books Week was founded in 1953 by the late Al Kaelin, a well-known art director, and cartoonist in America. He started the holiday to prompt the public to return borrowed library books so that they may be available for others to enjoy. The event is present in the annual “Chase’s Calendar of Events” publication, a reference source for all the important dates and holidays.
Libraries all across the country, both private and public, advertise Return the Borrowed Books Week to urge its members to return borrowed volumes to their shelves to enable them to preserve history and let others experience those same books. Books are sometimes forgotten, but this serves as a reminder that the book was beneficial to you and could be equally beneficial to someone else.
Return Borrowed Books Week timeline
Abraham Redwood and a group of people establish the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
The Boston Public Library emerges as the first extensive public library in America.
The Boston Public Library opens to the public.
Al Kaelin establishes Return the Borrowed Books Week.
Return Borrowed Books Week FAQs
When is Return Borrowed Books Week?
In 2027, Return Borrowed Books Week begins on Sunday, March 7 and concludes on Saturday, March 13. This annual observance serves as a crucial reminder for responsible borrowing.
How many books are overdue in libraries?
The problem of overdue books remains substantial, with countless items unreturned annually, costing libraries millions in replacement fees and lost access. Return Borrowed Books Week helps mitigate this ongoing challenge.
What is the economic impact of overdue library books?
Beyond the direct financial costs of replacing unreturned items, overdue books impact a library’s ability to serve its community efficiently. The collective value of these lost resources represents a substantial burden on public institutions.
What happens if you don't return library books?
Libraries typically implement a tiered system for unreturned books, starting with reminders and escalating to fines or account blocks. Ultimately, the absence of a book deprives other community members of access to that resource.
Return Borrowed Books Week Activities
Share on social media
One can never underestimate the power of social media. You can do a lot of good by sharing this holiday on social media using the hashtag #ReturnBorrowedBooksWeek to help libraries get their books back.
Tell family members about the holiday
Take time to check if you have a library book that needs to be returned. Talk to friends and family members about the holiday. You could never know who might be harboring a library book.
Visit the library
Visit the local library in your community, speak to the librarian and ask if you can be of any help to the event. If you have ideas on getting more people to return library books, feel free to share.
5 Fun Facts About Libraries
Some libraries offer free music
A service called Freegal permits patrons to download songs from a library of over 15 million tracks.
Librarians had special handwriting
Librarians used to have to learn a specific style of handwriting called “Library hand.”
It’s never too late to return a book
One of the most overdue library books in the world was returned after 288 years.
The world's largest library
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest in terms of catalog depth as it contains 168 million items.
The world’s oldest library
The Library of Ashurbanipal, located in Nineveh in modern-day Iraq, was founded sometime in the 7th century B.C. for the royal contemplation of the Assyrian ruler Ashurbanipal.
Why We Love Return Borrowed Books Week
It helps preserve history
By conserving library books, we preserve important parts of history. Both fiction and non-fiction works have a story to them. They are necessary parts of our societies we need to protect.
It means more books for everyone
Libraries believe in sharing resources fairly and equally. We get to encourage people to return books they may be hoarding, and that way there are more books for everyone.
It keeps local libraries functional
What happens when borrowed books are not returned? The library is greatly affected and can not continue to properly function. By participating in this holiday, we ensure that it does not happen.
Return Borrowed Books Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 1–7 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2027 | March 7–13 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2028 | March 5–11 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2029 | March 4–10 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2030 | March 3–9 | Sunday–Saturday |
