Pet some pups for a little end-of-semester relaxation or submit a haiku to honor libraries — these are some of the activities open to the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu community during National Library Week, which takes place Sunday, April 23, through Saturday, April 29.
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April, according to the ALA website. This year’s theme, “There’s More to the Story,” shines a light on all the programs, services, and infrastructure libraries provide to communities in addition to books, ebooks, and audiobooks.
“I am the product of amazing libraries and librarians, who saw me, supported me, and nurtured me,” 2023 National Library Week honorary chair Kelly Yang said in a press release. Yang is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author.
Yang continued, “Through books, movies, games, giveaways, and engaging programming, I found the courage to go for my dreams. So it is with the greatest joy that I join ALA in celebrating libraries everywhere and all they do to inspire, invigorate and lift up communities!”
The James & Abigail Campbell Library at UH West O‘ahu will be celebrating this year with several events:
- Library Haiku Contest: In honor of National Poetry Month and National Library Week, UH West O‘ahu students are invited to submit a haiku about libraries now through April 26. @uhwolibrary Instagram followers will then vote for their favorites, April 28 to 30, with the winners being announced during the week of May 1. For more information and to submit a haiku: https://go.hawaii.edu/MkX
- Paws for Coffee: With the library building closed, Paws for Coffee will take place in the Nāulu Center on April 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Students, staff, and faculty can stop by to pet a therapy dog, grab coffee and a snack, or fill out the library’s annual survey. This event is supported by the UH West O‘ahu Student Activity Fee Board and the Nāulu Center.
- Library Annual Survey: Now through April 30, the UH West O‘ahu community is invited to share their mana‘o about how the library is doing by filling out a survey. This confidential survey is conducted annually and is a way for the library staff to better assess what they’re doing well and what they could improve upon. UH West O‘ahu students are eligible to win a gift card, simply by sharing their opinions. To fill out the survey: https://go.hawaii.edu/XXb
For details or questions about National Library Week activities at UH West O‘ahu, contact the James & Abigail Campbell Library at uhwolib@hawaii.edu.