Children's Bookweek has been an annual event since 1919. It was held in November, the week before Thanksgiving. However, in 2008 the celebration was moved to May. It is celebrated around the second week of the month. Originally, the Children's Book Council, an organization established in 1944, oversaw the event. However, in 2008, the Council delegated the responsibility to its own philanthropic arm, Every Child a Reader. The major purpose of the Children's Book Week is to encourage a love of books among young readers and to introduce them to new authors and literary novelties. To make this event a truly remarkable celebration of the written word, public and school libraries and bookstores hold various activities for children and teens.