Whip out your cards, it's National Library Week. It's no secret that I love libraries. I mean, they give me books to read for free! Sure, I have to return them but free books!!! A few years ago, when I moved to Toronto, the library saved my sanity. I was living in what felt like the middle of no where with horrible roommates. There weren't many places that were in walkable distance but there was a library across the street. I quickly became a member and would pile up on books and hide in my bedroom. It was because of all those library books that I started book blogging which in turn introduced me to a whole world of book bloggers. And of course they have a few words to say about National Library Week.

Curious Child is quite excited about National Library Week because it's the first time she's working at a library that really celebrates it.

The most controversial of the events is the Book Cart Races. Apparently, last year there were some “timing issues” and last year’s losers (who believe they are the true victors) are out to settle a score.

Smoky Mountain Family Historian will be offering several tributes to libraries this week. Her first tribute is to the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

If I was spending the day at the main library, I'd usually walk down a couple of blocks to Skyline Chili for lunch. If there was a big festival downtown, I'd often go on down to where the vendors were set up and enjoy brats or other street fare. I'd always end up back at the library to finish up my day's research and to select a few books to take home to read.

AbsTracked shares a list of Library Week freebies.

Linda Mohr wrote a National Library Week Cat Story.

At the group blog Writers Plot the contributors will be taking turns this week telling their own library stories. First up is Jeanne Munn Bracken with her post Local Library or "Cheers"?.

Many of us grew up in The Good Old Days when we could visit the library down the street or at least in a nearby neighborhood. The librarians kept order and silence (sort of). Patrons thought the card catalog was a confusing tool and never dreamed that some computerized day they would long for its return. Kids went to story hour and adults read quietly in the periodicals room. For many of us regulars, it was a place where "everybody knows your name." Yeah, like "Cheers."

Dear Reader has a wonderful suggestion about how to show your library some love.

Please do take a minute right now to send your library an email and thank them heartily for providing the online book club. Your comments do make a big difference. Budgets are tight and feedback from patrons assures the people-in-charge that the online book club is something you appreciate receiving. And your local librarian would LOVE to hear from you.

Be sure to check out your local library's website to see if they have anything planned for this week.

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.