Geek The Library Week

Wednesday, Mar. 17 2010 | Author: Noemi

I just realized how significant this week is. At the beginning of the week, I posted something about Pi Day (which, by the way, got a lot of mixed reactions; some thought it stupid while many others thought it cool). I just found out that this week, March 15-19 is also Geek The Library Week – at least in the United States.

Geek The Library Week is basically an awareness campaign that aims to promote the local library. While there are people who totally get how important libraries are in education and self development, not everyone really gets involved. Indeed, in this age of instant information (via various media), hardly anyone ever goes to the library on a regular basis. Local libraries are in serious need of funding and might even be in danger of “extinction.”

The driving force behind the campaign is the famous couple Bill and Melinda Gates. Their foundation has partnered up with the OCLC as well as Leo Burnett USA. The former is a non-profit consortium of libraries while the latter is a marketing agency. With these kinds of players in the game, I have high hopes for the campaign.

So how can you get involved in geeking the library? The campaign is basically an awareness program and a chance for YOU and ME to show our support to the library. Whatever you do, it doesn’t have to be a big thing. Visit their web site at Geek The Library to find out various ways by which you can participate. When you visit the site, start by answering the questions in the pop up box. It won’t take you a minute, and you just might make a difference!

Let’s get our geeks on and support local libraries!