Celebrate National Library Week April 19-25, 2026. Cartoon image of a school with parents and kids. Find Your Joy! on a banner.
Celebrating all Things Library
 
National Library Week (April 19 to 25) is an annual celebration recognizing the contributions libraries and library professionals provide in transforming lives and building stronger communities. This year’s theme for National Library Week (Find Your Joy!) emphasizes the joy that libraries and stories provide.
 
The week kicks off on Monday with Right to Read Day, which highlights the importance of the freedom of information, and the annual State of the America’s Libraries Report, which identifies challenges and opportunities for libraries. The Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2025 will be included.
 
Tuesday is National Library Workers Day, which celebrates the many professionals on our team who make the Library the special place that it is. Here's a short video in celebration of National Library Workers Day.

Wednesday is National Library Outreach Day, a time to recognize the work of our dedicated Bookmobile team and library staff who bring services directly to schools, community events, and so much more.
 
Thursday is Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to voice your support and advocate for libraries and the right to read. We’ll have social media posts all during the week celebrating all things library.
 
Thank you for being a library patron and supporting your local library!

KIDS AND FAMILIES

Image with books in the background. Includes text saying Each Story Matters, Every Story Counts. Dia, Children' Day, Book Day. Come celebrate with us.
Gilroy Día Celebrations
 
We hope you can join us at the Gilroy Library's special Noche de Cuentos (Night of Stories) event Fri., Apr. 24 at the Casa de Cultura y Arte. Expect fun, culture, stories and smiles.
 
A second event featuring Piñatas and Paletas (ice pops) takes place on Wed, Apr. 29 at the Gilroy Library, with free books and treats!        
Image with graphic of small child playing with blocks. Image says Sensory Playtime
Inclusive Storytime, Playtime 
 
As we mark the last weeks of Autism Awareness Month, two events take place this week with an eye toward making sure that all children are included in story and play time. 
 
Mon., Apr. 20 at the Gilroy Library at 6 PM in place of the regular Pajama Storytime, author and instructor Veronica Vásquez García will present an inclusive storytime. The Morgan Hill Library offers their monthly sensory playtime on Fri., Apr. 24 from 4-5 PM.  

TEENS AND ADULTS

comic style graphic with woman looking at the headline reading Free Comic Book Day!
Comics Come to Life
 
Gilroy Library is the place to be for lovers of comics on Sat., May 2 for Free Comic Book Day. They are holding a Comic Fun Fest from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, with a drawing workshop and a musical performance, plus free comics!

Our libraries are also hosting former Marvel illustrator Jerry DeCaire starting on Sun., May 3. He will share insights into the industry and do a live drawing.
Two Senior Adults Looking at Tablet Together
Need Help Using your Personal Device?
 
The library has a variety of programs and resources to help you tackle your tech challenges. From Drop-In Tech Help and Technology classes at the Saratoga Library, to 1:1 Tech Help available in English and Spanish, and Basic Computer Skills classes at the Gilroy Library, we've got you covered. Looking for more advanced learning? Visit the online library with resources to build technical skills. 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Marking Earth Day
 
April 22 is Earth Day, when we pause and contemplate how we can help heal our planet. We have a trio of events tied to this theme. Check out our Online Library's Science page for resources like National Geographic and Nature.
Image with text reading One Book One Coast, Live streamed author event May 31. Image includes a photo of George Takei and the book cover from They Called Us Enemy graphic novel. The book cover features a graphic novel illustration of a young asian boy carrying a suitcase in a long line of people walking toward the gates of an internment camp
One Book, One Coast Live

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31 at 2 PM for a special event which will be joined by library patrons all along the West Coast as George Takei talks about his life in an internment camp during WWII, as told in They Called us Enemy Also available now on Libby.

Image with text reading Virtual Author Talks
Apr. 22 Cape Cod is the setting of Miranda Cowley Heller’s What the Deep Water Knows. Please register.
 
Apr. 30 Jason Reynolds shares about his final installment in the Track series, which delves into the past of character Coach. Please register.
 
May 7 internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali explores the enduring friendship, personal transformation, and political upheaval in Iran. Please register.
 
MORE FROM THE LIBRARY 
Celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is the month when we celebrate the heritage of more than 40% of County residents who are of Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Island descent. Our libraries have several events lined up that touch on some of the wide variety of traditions and cultures that fall under this umbrella. 

We start things off Sat., May 2 with the first of four Polynesian music and dance performances from RAHITI. Local Hula Halau 'O Pi'lana will delight audiences Sun., May 3. Historian Connie Young Yu traces the paper trail of Chinese exclusion on May 3, while you can learn about the use of Chinese medicine for chronic pain at three sessions beginning Thu., May 7.

Learn the art of origami at a craft event on Wed., May 13. There are several events tied to Japanese heritage tied to the May 31 screening at all of our libraries of the interview with actor and author George Takei about his memoire, They Called Us Enemy, about his childhood in an internment camp. Other events include workshops on Japanese paper arts (very popular), film screenings about Kintsukuoi (the art of repairing pottery), a Poponta Storytime on Wed., May 6 and a fabric sculpture workshop on Thu., May 14. 
 
GET A LIBRARY CARD OR RENEW YOUR CARD ONLINE
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Join the Library with an Instant free eCard
If you live in Santa Clara County and do not have a library card with the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD), or would like additional household members to have their own library accounts, the instant free eCard is for you. 
 
eCards are available to all residents who live within Santa Clara County Library District with a valid residential mailing address (P.O. Box not accepted). 
 
An eCard gives you full access to our Online Library
services, including eBooks, streaming movies, and more.
 
REGISTER HERE
 
You can also visit any of our libraries during open hours to convert your eCard, or apply for a full use card to check out any of our physical and digital materials and resources.
 
Renew your library card online!

If you have a library card and would like to keep it current, now you can renew your library card online! SCCLD makes it easy to keep your account current and active. No visit to the library needed if your account is in good standing and you live within the Greater Bay Area. For more information or to renew online, visit sccld.org/cardrenewal.
Visit us at sccld.org
We're here for you
Staff is available to answer your questions Monday - Sunday (excluding holidays). 
 
You can also call your local library directly during open hours, connect with us via chat or email Monday-Friday to Ask a Librarian, or if you have an Account Question.
 
Or text us at (833) 209-6600.