Important Days & Dates

Library Events

Library Events

Date Event Significance
Dec. 10 Dewey Decimal System Day On December 10, 1851, Melvil Dewey (1851-1931) was born and he invented the Dewey Decimal system of library classification
Oct. International School Library Month (ISLM) an annual celebration of school libraries worldwide.
Sep.28 International Day for Universal Access to Information On 17 November 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 28 September as International Day for Universal Access to Information.
April 23 World Book and Copyright Day World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.
Nov. 14 to 20 National Library Week Since 1968, 14–20 November has been celebrated as National Library Week all over India
Feb. 26 to Mar. 01 Fair Use/ Fair Dealing Week an annual celebration of the important doctrines of fair use and fair dealing.
Feb. 14 Library Lovers’ Day It is celebrated on 14th February each year to honor libraries, librarians, book lovers, and lovers of libraries.
Oct. 21 to 27 International Open Access Week Open Access Week is an opportunity to join together, take action, and raise awareness of the benefits of openly sharing knowledge.
1st Thur. of Nov. World Digital Preservation Day It is organized by the Digital Preservation Coalition and supported by digital preservation networks around the globe.
Date Event Significance
1876 Founding of the American Library Association (ALA) Established a cornerstone for library advocacy, standards, and professional development in the U.S. and internationally.
1876 Founding of the Library Journal Launched by Melvil Dewey, it became a key publication for library professionals, discussing issues, trends, and developments within the field.
1883 Opening of the School of Library Economy at Columbia College Pioneered formal education for librarians, emphasizing the profession's importance and need for specialized skills.
1931 Introduction of the Uniform Decimal Classification (UDC) Enhanced the ability of libraries to manage and organize vast amounts of information systematically, influencing international library cataloging practices.
1945 Publication of "As We May Think" by Vannevar Bush Introduced the concept of the memex, influencing the development of hypertext and the digital information landscape.
1950s Development of Information Retrieval Systems Marked the beginning of computer-assisted search techniques, laying the groundwork for modern digital libraries and online databases.
1960s Development of MARC standards Revolutionized library cataloging, enabling efficient and standardized bibliographic data sharing across libraries globally.
1967 Establishment of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) Recognized the unique needs of specialized information centers and professionals, broadening the scope of LIS to include corporate, legal, and scientific information services.
1974 Creation of OCLC Online Computer Library Center Facilitated shared cataloging and resource sharing among libraries, significantly enhancing access to collections worldwide.
1980s Advent of Personal Computers and Public Internet Access in Libraries Transformed libraries into digital access points for the public, expanding their role as community hubs for information and technology.
1991 Launch of the World Wide Web Transformed access to information, impacting library services, digital collections, and the broader information landscape.
1995 Launch of the Digital Library Federation (DLF) Aimed to advance the development of digital libraries through collaboration, research, and innovation, influencing digital collection strategies and infrastructure.
2000 Adoption of the E-book in Libraries Signaled a shift in collection development strategies, accommodating digital formats and addressing changing user preferences and access models.
2000s Growth of Digital Libraries and Repositories The emergence and expansion of digital libraries and institutional repositories signified a shift towards digital collections, improving access to scholarly materials and digital archives.
2002 Launch of the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine Provided unprecedented access to archived web pages, highlighting the importance of digital preservation and the role of libraries in archiving the web.
2004 Google Books Library Project Begins Embarked on mass digitization of books from several major libraries, highlighting issues of copyright, access, and the role of libraries in the digital age.
2007 Introduction of Library 2.0 Emphasized the application of web 2.0 technologies in libraries, fostering interactive and participatory services, and engaging communities.
2008 Launch of the HathiTrust Digital Library A collaborative repository initiated by several academic institutions to preserve and provide access to digitized books and materials.
2009 Introduction of the FRBR Aimed to modernize cataloging practices by focusing on user tasks (find, identify, select, obtain), representing a conceptual shift towards more user-centered approaches in information organization.
2010s Advancements in Digital Humanities Libraries became key players in supporting digital humanities projects, showcasing the integration of digital tools and methodologies in research and scholarship.
2010s Rise of Data Science and Big Data in LIS Highlighted the role of libraries in managing, curating, and making accessible large datasets, emphasizing data literacy and information management skills.
2011 Establishment of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) Highlighted the commitment within the LIS field to long-term preservation of digital resources, emphasizing the importance of digital stewardship.
2012 Establishment of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) Aimed to provide open and free access to digital resources from American libraries, archives, and museums.
2013 Widespread Adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) in Libraries Libraries began playing a pivotal role in advocating for and facilitating access to OER, supporting educational affordability and accessibility.
2014 Launch of the Library Freedom Project Signified an increased emphasis on privacy, digital rights, and the role of libraries in safeguarding user data and providing education on digital privacy issues.
2015 Implementation of Linked Data in Libraries Started the integration of semantic web technologies in library systems, enhancing data interoperability and the discoverability of library resources across the web.
2016 Implementation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Library Services Marked the beginning of libraries experimenting with AI for cataloging, user services, and personalized recommendations, reflecting the integration of advanced technologies in library operations.
2018 Global Expansion of Digital Lending and E-books Evidenced by controversies like the Macmillan Publishers' e-book lending model, highlighted the challenges and negotiations between libraries and publishers over digital content access and licensing.
2019 Rise of Community Archiving Initiatives Libraries and archives increasingly engaged communities in the preservation of local history and culture, emphasizing participatory archiving and the democratization of historical narratives.
2020 Development of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Applications in Libraries Libraries began exploring VR and AR to enhance learning, access to collections, and user experience, showcasing innovative approaches to information engagement.
2020s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Libraries rapidly adapted services to digital formats, offering virtual programming, curbside pickup, and expanded digital collections, demonstrating resilience and the ability to serve communities under challenging circumstances.
2021 Expansion of Digital Equity Initiatives With the ongoing digital divide, libraries intensified efforts to provide internet access, digital literacy training, and technological resources, underscoring their role in promoting digital inclusion.
2022 Adoption of Sustainable Practices in Libraries Reflecting a growing awareness of environmental issues, libraries started implementing green technologies, sustainable building practices, and programming focused on sustainability, aligning library operations with ecological concerns.

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