ALSC, Target collaborate to support libraries celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros
Contact: Linda Mays
Program Officer, ALSC
312-280-1398
lmays@ala.org
For Immediate Release
January 16, 2007
ALSC, Target collaborate to support libraries celebrating
El día de los niños/El día de los libros
Free marketing materials available, Día Super Sites selected
CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has named Target as the official 2007 national sponsor of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), known as Día. This annual celebration held April 30 spreads "bookjoy" by linking children of all languages and cultures with books.
Through the support of Target, libraries nationwide may receive up to 200 complimentary bilingual brochures upon submitting information to ALSC about their Día celebrations. Beginning February 1, an online event submission form will be available via the Día Web site at
http://www.ala.org/dia. Those who register their Día event information by April 1 will receive free brochures and bookmarks, while supplies last.
ALSC and Target will provide mini-grants of $5,000 plus a suite of Día-themed promotional materials to eight model public library systems. Selected library systems/libraries will be known as Día 2007 Super Sites. Grant funds will support efforts to purchase culturally relevant books for permanent collections or giveaways, or to fund Día programs. Super Sites also will receive a display banner, bookplates, bookmarks, and bilingual brochures featuring recommended children’s books and tips for parents on reading to/with their children.
"Día Super Site libraries have a proven track record for producing outstanding Día celebrations in their communities," said ALSC President Kathleen T. Horning. "What makes these super-site celebrations stand out is the libraries’ commitment to tying the celebration to literacy and culture. ALSC was also impressed with the libraries’ level of cooperation with other community groups and schools."
Día 2007 Super Sites include El Paso (Texas) Public Library, Hennepin County Library in Minn., Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County (N.C.), Queens (N.Y.) Public Library, Riverside County Library System in Calif., Broward County Library System in Fla., Providence (R.I.) Public Library and Phoenix (Ariz.) Public Library.
Día, nationally centered in ALSC, is an enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925 as a day designated to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy. Día honors children and their languages and cultures, encourages reading and literacy, and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country’s diverse communities.
ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of service to children in all types of libraries. Visit http://www.ala.org/alsc for more information.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,494 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
