Libraries and You are Unlimited

White text and national library symbol on a blue background

The national library symbol was launched by the American Library Association in 1982 as a simple, graphic representation of a book and reader meant to be easily recognizable on directional signs and other printed materials near and in libraries. It is frequently used on promotional materials by the ALA, and the organization encourages libraries of all kinds to use the symbol on marketing items such as bumper stickers, posters, mugs, and notepads.