Join ALSC and REFORMA in celebrating Día 2009
Contact: Linda Mays
Program Officer, ALSC
312-280-1398
NEWS
For Immediate Release
February 10, 2009
CHICAGO - Registration is now open to request complimentary brochures featuring an exceptional book list with bilingual, Spanish-only and English titles for children.à “Celebrate ¡Celebremos!” will be used by members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and REFORMA, as well as à libraries across the country in celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), also known as Día, on April 30.à Día celebrates the importance of advocating literacy for every child, regardless of linguistic and cultural background.
Libraries showcase their various multicultural programs and services through Día celebrations.Ã Día events support literacy and bridge cultures through bilingual book displays and story hours; family literacy fairs;Ã bilingual writing projects and programs that will encourage parents to inspire their children to read.Ã New this year, a Día Wiki is now available for libraries to share celebration ideas, tips and resources.Ã The Wiki is available at
http://wikis.ala.org/alsc.
“Día provides children and families with an opportunity to explore new worlds,” said Pat Scales, president of ALSC, a division of the American Library Association (ALA).Ã “Libraries are the perfect family destination, offering parents and children an opportunity to explore the world through multicultural book collections, diverse cultural programs and free access to the Web.”
Día honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy;à and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country’s diverseà populations.à To request the “Celebrate ¡Celebremos!” brochure, please visit the Día Web site at
http://www.ala.org/dia. Libraries that register their Día events through the Web site will receive complimentary copies of the brochure, while supplies last. An interactive map showing information about registered events is also available on the Web site.
ALSC is the national center for Día and works with Día Founder, Pat Mora, and national organizations, such as Día’s Founding Partner, REFORMA, to initiate communication and education efforts that promote Día to families across the United States.Ã REFORMA is the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking.
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About the Association for Library Service to Children
The Association for Library Service to Children develops and supports the profession of children’s librarianship by enabling and encouraging its practitioners to provide the best library service to our nation’s children.Ã ALSC provides leadership to the profession and public on behalf of high quality library services that support children in becoming lifelong learners.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 64,000 members.Ã Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.
About REFORMA
Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the American Library Association, REFORMA has actively sought to promote: the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino-oriented materials; Ã the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff;Ã the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community;Ã the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share REFORMA’s goals;Ã the education of the U.S. Latino population with regard to the availability and types of library services;Ã and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.
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