Important Days & Dates

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.
13-16 October	International Data Week	International Data Week (IDW) is a landmark event is organised by the Committee on Data (CODATA) and the World Data System (WDS) of the International Science Council (ISC), and the Research Data Alliance (RDA). (https://internationaldataweek.org/about-idw/)

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.