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

International Reading Association and United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) is an opportunity to focus on the 875 million
adults worldwide who do not know how to read or
write. Nearly two-thirds are women. For info, see
www.reading.org/meetings/ild.
Banned Books Week: Celebrating the
Freedom to Read
Observed during the last week of September each year,
this annual event is an opportunity to educate about one
of our most precious freedoms in a democracy and the
role of libraries. A Banned Books Week Kit, list of “The
100 Most Challenged Books” and other materials are
available from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom at
www.ala.org/oif.
October
Computer Learning Month
This annual event focuses on the important role that
computers, software and other technologies play in our
lives, particularly in children’s learning and their future.
The Computer Learning Foundation provides activities,
generally in the form of merit competitions and
sweepstakes, to encourage people to explore new ways
of using technology and to share their knowledge with
others in their community. For more information, see
www.computerlearning.org/clmact.htm.
International School Library Day
Observed the third Monday in October, this day is
sponsored by the International Association of School
Librarianship to focus on the richness and variety of
school library services in different countries, and the
contribution that they make to their schools and
communities. For activity and publicity ideas, see
www.iasl-slo.org/schoollibraryday.html.
National Book Month
This annual celebration of writers and readers is
sponsored by the National Book Foundation. Finalists for
the prestigious National Book Awards for U.S. authors,
including Young People’s Literature, are announced in
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October. The awards presentation is in November. Take
advantage of this opportunity to engage students in
discussing the nominees and what makes a winning
book in their eyes, as well as the judges’. For ideas on
how to celebrate, see www.nationalbook.org/nbm.html.
National Storytelling Festival
The International Storytelling Center celebrates the
power of storytelling each year in October by showcasing
the world’s stories, storytellers and storytelling
traditions at the National Storytelling Festival—the
world’s premier storytelling event—in Jonesborough, TN.
Why not hold your own festival and get students and
teachers involved in this ancient and fun tradition? Learn
more at www.storytellingcenter.com/festival/festival.htm.
Teen Read Week
Observed the third week of October, this annual
celebration is sponsored by ALA and its Young Adult
Services Association to encourage teens to “read for the
fun of it.” The ALA Graphics Catalog offers a wealth of
promotional materials. Ideas for celebrating and sample
publicity materials are provided online. Go to www.ala.
org/yalsa and click on Teen Read Week.
November
American Education Week
Sponsored by the National Education Association, this
annual event celebrates the educators and school staff
who keep children safe, healthy, and help them achieve.
That includes you! The 2003 observance is November
16–22, 2003. Tools, including downloadable artwork,
are provided at www.nea.org/aew.
Children’s Book Week
Observed since 1919, Children’s Book Week encourages
children and the adults who care for them to spend
some time with a book each day. Children’s Book Week
2003 is November 17-23. Tips for organizing and
publicizing, including a downloadable poster, are available
from the Children’s Book Council at www.cbcbooks.
org/html/book_week.html.