LA County Library National Library Week

LA County Library is marking National Library Week with branch events across Los Angeles County through Saturday, April 25, plus free in-library laptop access for cardholders. (lacountylibrary.org) The library’s announcement, posted April 20, says participating locations are running programs from April 20 to April 25, 2026, for children, teens, and adults. Featured events listed by the system include a book club on *They Called Us Enemy*, a virtual author talk with Miranda Cowley Heller, a mindfulness workshop called “Tea for the Soul,” and a family program, “Ms. Bits N Bobs Visits the Land of Imagination.” (lacountylibrary.org) A separate National Library Week page lists branch-specific activities, including free-form art for ages 3 to 5 at Charter Oak Library on April 21 and “Planting Joy” for ages 6 to 12 at Lomita Library on April 22. The page also says Friends of the Library groups are holding book, DVD, and music sales at select locations. (lacountylibrary.org) National Library Week is a nationwide observance organized by the American Library Association, which says the 2026 dates are April 19 to April 25 and the theme is “Find Your Joy.” The association says the annual celebration has been observed each April since 1958. (ala.org) LA County Library is tying its local programming to that national campaign. Its National Library Week page tells residents that libraries provide free access to information, programs, and community space, while the county’s April 20 announcement says the week is meant to highlight reading, learning, and self-expression across the system. (lacountylibrary.org, lacountylibrary.org) The technology piece is part of that pitch. LA County Library’s “Connect to Tech” page says cardholders can use public computers, free Wi‑Fi, printing and copying, and “Laptop Express” devices that can be borrowed inside participating libraries for up to two hours. (lacountylibrary.org) The library says kiosk laptops require a library card in good standing and must be returned the same day before the branch closes. The machines are for in-library use only, and the county says accounts can be charged the full replacement cost if a laptop is not returned. (lacountylibrary.org) County Librarian and Director Dr. Skye Patrick said in the announcement that residents may find joy in a new book, a program, a skill, or a welcoming place to connect with others. For this week, LA County Library is trying to turn that message into something concrete at branch level, one event and one checkout at a time. (lacountylibrary.org)