ALSC Celebrates El día de los niños/El día de los libros on Second Life
Contact: Jennifer Najduch
ALSC Marketing Specialist
(312)280-4026
jnajduch@ala.org
For Immediate Release,
April 22, 2008
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The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will be celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros virtually this April by holding one-hour discussion sessions on ALA Island in Second Life. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), also known as Día, is an everyday celebration of children, families and reading that takes place every year on April 30.
The in-world discussions, scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on April 28 and 3 p.m. on May 1, on ALA Island’s main stage, will offer librarians an outlet to discuss Día programming at their library.
“Día has grown immensely since it began in 1996,” said ALSC Executive Director, Diane Foote. “We’ve seen families and libraries embrace Día through creative community programs and celebrations. It’s been amazing to watch Día grow and evolve into the nationally recognized celebration of children, families and reading that it is today.”
Along with a Second Life discussion of Día, ALSC offers librarians and families a wealth of Día resources on their Web site, including a recommended reading list and tips for parents, in English and Spanish, on reading to and with children.
Día began as an enhancement of Children’s Day, which was started in 1925, to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. Nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora founded Día by linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy. Celebrations now emphasize the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
ALSC, in collaboration with the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA), continues to increase public awareness of the event in libraries throughout the country. Their goals are to honor children, their languages and culture; to encourage reading and literacy; and to promote library collections and programs that reflect our plurality.
ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,200 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC and Día, visit ALSC’s Web site at www.ala.org/alsc.
