Library Assistant's Day is nationally recognized during National Library Week. However, since many libraries plan activities during that week, Library Assistant's Day can be observed at any time.  Brookings and Sioux Falls area libraries have begun a tradition of gathering  library paraprofessionals together for a noon luncheon as an observance.
Other larger communities are urged to plan Annual Library Assistant's Day activities for their areas.  Library staff from hospitals, schools, businesses, etc. should be included.  Some suggestions for getting started are:

• Determine the activity.  (i.e.: Noon luncheon, evening dinner, or Saturday brunch)
• Set a date and location. (restaurant, meeting room, someone's home)
• Plan a short program.  It doesn't have to be elaborate.
• Secure door prizes:  Area business usually are happy to donate inexpensive items.

Let us know if you plan to organize a Library Assistant's Day in your community. Let us share your experience with others on the Support Staff Section web site. 

To post information, send e-mail to: Susan.Schleicher

'The idea for a day to recognize library support staff came out of an idea for a Library Mosaics article that Ed Gillen suggested to the editor Ed Martinez in November of 1995. The idea was to devote an entire issue to "A Day in the Life of Support Staff" - where library support staff on one particular day would write about what they did and submit it to Library Mosaics. This snapshot would capture the diverse job responsibilities of library support staff. Ed Martinez liked the idea and suggested using a day during National Library Week.

      On January 25, 1996, Ed Gillen announced the idea to the subscribers of LIBSUP-L. The day that was chosen was April 17, 1996 - the Wednesday during National Library Week. The posting included a brief mention of using that day as a day to recognize library assistants. Subscribers liked both ideas!

      The result? The July/August 1996 issue of Library Mosaics contained "The Day in the Life of Library Support Staff" article and in a small handful of libraries around the world the day became Library Support Staff Day. In New York State, the Assembly adopted a Legislative Resolution memorializing Governor Pataki to proclaim April 17, 1996 as New York Library Assistants' Day.

After postings about library events recognizing this day were posted on LIBSUP-L, it was suggested that each Wednesday during National Library Week be Library Support Staff Day! That's how it came about.'  Source - ASSOCIATES (vol. 6, no. 1, July 1999) - associates.ucr.edu