Toolkit for School Library Media Programs - American Library ...

Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each
April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our
nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library
use and support. Tips for organizing and promoting are
posted on The Campaign for America’s Libraries Web site
at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary. Click on PR Tools and
Resources. NLW will be held April 18–24, 2004.
Young People’s Poetry Week
Celebrated the third week in April, this annual event is
sponsored by the Children’s Book Council (CBC), to
highlight poetry for children and young adults and
encourage everyone to celebrate poetry—read it, enjoy
it, write it. A downloadable poster and other support
materials are available at www.cbcbooks.org/html/
poetry_week.html
TV Turn-off Week
The week is sponsored each April by the TV Turn-off
Network, whose motto is “Turn off TV. Turn on Life.”
Why not send a flyer with TV free activity ideas home
with students? For more ideas, see www.tvturnoff.org. TV
Turn-off Week is April 19–25, 2004.
World Book and Copyright Day, April 23
An ideal opportunity to talk about copyright, plagiarism
and other issues related to intellectual property.
Sponsored internationally by UNESCO,this day is a
symbolic one for world literature. On this date and in
the same year of 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca
Garcilaso de la Vega died. It is also the date of birth or
death of several other prominent authors. See
www.unesco.org/culture/bookday.
El día de los niños/El día de los libros,
April 30
This annual celebration of children, families and reading
focuses on the importance of advocating literacy for
every child regardless of linguistic and cultural
background. It is sponsored by the Association for
Library Service to Children (ALSC) with the National
Association to Promote Library and Information Services
to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA). Go to
www.ala.org/alsc. Look under Projects and Partnerships.
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May
Get Caught Reading Month
This nationwide campaign aims to remind people of all
ages how much fun it is to read. The observance is
sponsored by the Association of American Publishers
(AAP) and the Magazine Publishers of America (MPA).
Check out the suggestions for activities and support
materials at www.getcaughtreading.com.
National PTA Teacher Appreciation Week
Sponsored since 1984, the week offers an opportunity to
let teachers know how much you appreciate their hard
work. Learn more at www.pta.org. This week is being
celebrated May 2–8, 2004.
National Library Legislative Day
National Library Legislative Day, cosponsored by the
District of Columbia Library Association and the
American Library Association, is held each year in May to
bring librarians, library trustees, board members and
other library friends to Washington, D.C., to talk with
their representatives and senators about issues of
concern. This includes funding for school libraries. Be
there if you can. For information, visit the ALA Washington
Office’s site at www.ala.org/washoff. In the left
navigation bar, click on Events under Washington Office.
September
Library Card Sign-Up Month
A time when the American Library Association and
libraries across the country remind parents that the most
important school supply of all is @ your library ® —it’s
your library card. Thousands of public and school
libraries join together each fall in this national effort.
Posters and other promotional materials are available
from ALA Graphics. For good ideas on how to organize,
go to www.ala.org/pio. Click on Promotions and then
Library Card Sign-Up Month.
International Literacy Day, September 8
A time to ask: What would your life be like if you
couldn’t read? This annual event, sponsored by the