Since 1958, library communities across the country have celebrated National Library Week. According to the American Library Association’s (ALA) website, National Library Week was instituted because research showed Americans were spending less on books and more on other media such as radio and television. In an effort to encourage a return to reading, the ALA and the American Book Publishers joined together to form the National Book Committee in 1954. According to the ALA, the idea for National Library Week was based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would use and support libraries. The first National Library Week theme back in 1958 was “Wake Up and Read.” A full history of National Library Week can be found on the ALA website.