This past week, April 9-15, was National Library Week, a week set aside each year to celebrate libraries and all they do for us! Libraries are a foundation piece of our society and our culture in so many ways that we often take for granted. It's so often that the need for libraries is challenged. People claim that because books are rapidly going digital, we don't need libraries anymore. But libraries are, and have always been, so much more than books. So, in honor of National library Week, here are 13 reasons to celebrate libraries!

1. They provide enriching experiences for children of all ages.

I grew up in libraries, through every stage of life that I went through. My local library always offered an array of programs for me to enjoy, no matter how old I was. Whether it was Mommy and Me playtime when I was a toddler, story time when I was a preschooler, crafts when I was a child, or pizza parties and game nights when I was in middle and high-school, there was always something fun to do at my local library. Libraries provide programs that educate and enrich everyone, completely free of charge. There's not many places that you can find something like that these days.

2. They provide lots of opportunities for family fun.

Looking for something fun to do with the whole family? Chances are you'll find something at your local library. Most libraries provide an array of programs: movie-nights, magic shows, game nights...and they're all great for families to enjoy together. Even without these programs, what could be nicer than heading to the library as a family and picking out books together?

3. They're great when you need a quiet place to study.

One thing I've learned as I've gotten older is that it's hard to get work done when there's a ruckus happening around you. Going to college and living in a loud dorm room, I've taken to writing papers in my school library, and I've found it's quite peaceful. Libraries are a totally open and completely quiet space for you to get any work done away from the noises of the world. Of course, you could always work at a coffee shop...but at a library you can work for hours without purchasing anything.

4. There's so much to do there, rainy days are never an issue

Rainy days happen, and when it's the weekend or a school vacation, parents and everyone are always looking for things to do. Movie theaters and the mall are always an option, but chances are there's a library right close to home that you can visit. And with the programs that I mentioned above, there's always something to do at a library when you can't go outside...including reading a book!

5. You'll always have a place to get online.

Sometimes the internet cuts out at home. Sometimes, you can't afford the internet. And sometimes, the internet is working fine at home, but you want to work outside of the house. In the digital age, nearly everything we do needs the internet to get done. Guess what? At a library, there's free, accessible internet. In the world today, freedom of internet access is basically the same thing as freedom of information, and libraries allow us to have it.

6. There are lots of rewarding volunteer opportunities.

If you've been in high school, you know that often you're in programs and classes that require volunteer hours, and you also know that they're not always easy to come by. Libraries are a great place to volunteer! My local library ran a volunteer program for teens every summer, allowing us to assist at programs and help children with their summer reading. No matter what age you are, libraries are a great place to find volunteer work if you're looking for it.

7. Librarians

You can't make a list of great things about libraries without mentioning librarians. Whether it's a stereotypical sweet old lady who smiles at you or a bubbly kid home from college for the summer, librarians are there to make the whole institution that's so great run smoothly. With all there is to do at a library, they're like superheroes! Librarians make you smile running the programs you participate in, smiling at you as you check out your books, or helping you find your next perfect read.

8. They fill up summers with endless fun!

I've always associated libraries with summer time. In the summer there's always more time to head to the library once or twice a week and pick out a new set of books. When I was in high school, summers meant spending my days volunteering at the library and then going to a teen program at night. I'd go to pick out books at the start of each month, and my Dad would inevitably groan as I took forever to find the perfect selections. Libraries are so active during the Summer, and there's even more to do than there is most of the time! Summer days can get boring, and libraries are there to help fill the gaps.

9. They provide a center of community.

I've said it multiple times here: libraries are community centers. With all the programs they offer, it's a great place to meet new people from your town! Chances are you'll have similar interests as well. Libraries bring us together, and all through the love of literature.

10. There's so much more that they offer than books!

If books are not for you, there's still something for you at the library. Sure Libraries are mostly about books, but their real purpose is to serve the community. At libraries, you'll not only find books to borrow but movies, music CDs and even audio books. My library even had puzzles and board games in the children's section!

11. That being said, there are hundreds of books at your disposal!

If you love books, there's no reason to not love libraries. You're surrounded by every kind of book you could ever imagine or need. Need to read the book that inspired the latest thriller? Find a history book for a term paper? Look through a cookbook to make a quick dinner? You'll find it all at your local library. A whole building filled with books. What could be better?

12. You can borrow books and bring them home with you at no extra charge

If you live in the community where a library is, you can get a library card there, and if you can get a library card, you can take home stacks of books, all for free! Ever walked into a bookstore and wish you could pluck every book off the shelf and take it home with you? At a library you can. And you don't even have to be afraid to bite off more than you can chew, because if a book is due before you finish it, you can just renew it and get a whole new due date!

13. It's all free.

Libraries provide an array of services, and they're all government funded. Free books, free movie nights, free classes, free internet. All the greatness that libraries provide, and it's all at your fingertips without spending a cent. Who would ever want to eliminate that?

There are so many more reasons to love libraries; these are just some basic ones. Libraries are essential to our communities. They're not just places to borrow books. They provide education, community and culture. You can't replace that with a Kindle. With National Library Week having just passed us, take some time to head to your local library. Check out an interesting book. Or maybe find a paint night or movie to go to with your friends. The sky's the limit with the magic of libraries.