April 20-26 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week! Here at the library, we try to show our gratitude
year-round, but this week gives us an extra special excuse to sing your praises. Now, I was brainstorming
ways to express just how much you all mean to us, and my mind, as it sometimes does after a long day
of coordinating, led me down the rabbit hole of the wonderfully weird world of national awareness
days. Stay with me here…

You see, our amazing volunteers are not like just another hat on January 15th (National Hat
Day) – something you might try on and then forget. Instead, you are an integral and essential part of our
library's foundation, like the sturdy support that keeps the whole structure standing tall. We rely on
your consistent efforts and appreciate you far more than a fashionable head covering!

We're also incredibly grateful that our volunteers don't participate in National No Pants Day (First Friday
in May) while tackling those towering stacks in the back. While comfort is key, your dedication to
efficiency (and probably sensible attire) helps us keep everything running smoothly.

And while we certainly enjoy a bit of lightheartedness on International Fun at Work Day (April 1st), your
contributions are no joke! Your serious dedication and passion in everything you do make our library a
better place for everyone.

Even on National Lost Sock Memorial Day (May 9th), when we collectively mourn the disappearance of
hosiery, our volunteers are the opposite of "Lost." You are consistently present, reliable, and a constant
and dependable presence within our library team. We know exactly where to find you – making a real
difference!

So, this National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to say a massive THANK YOU. You are more
valuable than a perfectly alphabetized shelf, more reliable than the Dewey Decimal System, and bring
more joy than a room full of new books. You are the unsung heroes of our library, and we are eternally
grateful for your time, your energy, and your wonderful selves. Know that you are truly appreciated
(especially with pants on!!) – every single day of the year, even the ones dedicated to weird and random
causes.