Books for Library Joy!

Find Your Joy at the Library

By Angela Martinez, Children's Library Associate, Broken Arrow Library

We just celebrated National Library Week, with a theme of “Find Your Joy.” It’s a simple idea, but it really captures what libraries are all about. We help people discover what excites them, comforts them, and connects them to others. Whether that’s a favorite story, a new skill, or just a quiet place to be, there’s something for everyone at the library.

In my work, I see this “library joy” show up in so many ways, especially during Storytime. One of my favorite moments is when a child who has been coming regularly—quiet, observant, taking everything in—suddenly opens up. It might be something small, like finally taking a sticker from my hand or copying a movement during a story. But those moments feel huge. It’s like a switch flips, and they’re no longer just watching. They are connecting! In those moments, I feel like I’ve won at life.

National Library Week is also a reminder that libraries are more than just books (even though we love those, too). They’re spaces where relationships grow over time—between staff and families, between children and stories, and even between kids and their own confidence. From storytimes and STEAM programs to digital resources and outreach, libraries are constantly evolving to meet the needs of the people they serve.

For me, finding joy at the library always comes back to connection. Those small, quiet breakthroughs? That’s the good stuff. That’s library joy.

These are some of my go-to library-themed books that I love sharing in Storytime and beyond.