As anyone who uses social media may have seen, there are a proliferation of daily, weekly and monthly events used for a variety of reasons: promoting a cause (World AIDS Day), raising funds for charity (ALS Awareness Month), or just having fun (Squirrel Appreciation Day).

The American Library Association is in on this trend, and in April we celebrate a few book and library-related occasions, including National Bookmobile Day, National Librarian Appreciation Day, and, probably most importantly, National Library Week.

National Library Week is a time for libraries across the country to celebrate what we do. This year, the theme “Libraries=Strong Communities” highlights the ways libraries work to build community, whether on college campuses, in small towns or in big cities.

The Madison College Libraries will host festivities this year including a special contest, creator studio activities, treats and more. Be sure to stop by the Truax Campus library on Monday, April 8, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. to visit with therapy dogs from Dogs on Call, a local organization which brings therapy pets to a variety of locations to offer support, stress release, and connection through visiting with animals.

Check out the Library’s website or Facebook page for more information on our other National Library Week activities.

In addition to the festivities of National Library Week, we also offer a number of ongoing events throughout the school year, such as our S.T.R.E.A.M. (screenings of thoughtful, relevant, engaging, and artful movies) Film Series.

On Wednesday, March 27, at 3 p.m. we’ll be showing “Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines.” The film will be shown in the Library Commons area, which is on the third floor of the Truax campus Gateway building, right outside of the library.

This film looks at gender in comic books and popular culture, from Wonder Woman to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and beyond, examining how these characters have influenced society, and women, to step forward.

There will also be screenings at the metro and regional campuses the week of March 25 (ask your local librarian for date and time).

Stay tuned for information about further film showings later this semester.