Amid federal funding cuts and scaled back hours, local libraries could use a little love. So here's your chance.

Two Rhode Island Jessicas -- Jessica David and Jessica Cigna -- are organizing a "Library Love Letter" campaign aimed at delivering words of gratitude and support to Rhode Island's public libraries and librarians during National Library Week, April 19-25.

“I truly believe Rhode Islanders love their libraries,” said David, who serves on the state Office of Library & Information Services board. “We want to show how much support there is for libraries so when public officials are making decisions about funding they will know how much citizens value them and the important role libraries play in their communities.”

The campaign website describes public libraries as "magic," calling them "perhaps the purest expression of democracy and community."

“There’s something sacred about the space of a library,” said David, who is also president of Local Return and a Harvard Divinity School student. “When you walk in, the hush and the idea that it’s there for you -- this entire building and resources beyond are available for whatever you might be interested in for your learning and enjoyment.”

Public libraries are some of the only spaces people can go and not be expected to buy anything, David said. Libraries don't just lend out books, they're also places where you can take a class, participate in a community forum, and find links to social services, she said. And they're among the most trusted public institutions, serving as bulwarks against misinformation and disinformation, she said.

Cigna, director of data analysis for the Secretary of State's Office, helped to set up a campaign website (on her own time) that includes a map of the 70 local public libraries in Rhode Island -- from the Ashaway Free Library to Woonsocket's Harris Public Library -- plus the Rhode Island State Library.

“I hope it raises awareness of how important libraries are to our civic life and civic health,” Cigna said. “Librarians are the unsung heroes who do so much with so little, day in and day out. They are really on the forefront of this national struggle for the freedoms we all say that we want.”

You can use this link to sign up to deliver a letter (or two). Choose your favorite library, fill out the form, and you'll receive a Library Love Letter template either by snail mail before April 13 or by email after that date. Then you'll need to sign and deliver the letter and confirm delivery with the campaign.