October 1 marks the beginning of International School Library Month (ISLM), a month to celebrate and draw attention to school libraries. First started as International School Library Day in 1999 by Past President Blanche Woolls, it was changed to International School Library Month in 2008 to give more flexibility to schools around the world to choose a time in the month that best fits their specific situation. During this month, school libraries around the world can choose a day, week, or the entire month to celebrate the importance of libraries.
The theme for ISLM 2014 is Your School Library: Mind-Map Central. The ISLM Committee, under the leadership of Marie O’Brien has worked hard to plan a number of activities (thank you, Marie and all other members!). In addition, there is long list of activities available on the IASL web site that schools have carried out in the past to give you ideas. Please feel free to choose an activity (or more than one) that suits you to celebrate the occasion, including, among other ideas you might have,
- ISLM Bookmark Exchange Project
- ISLM Skype Project
- Exhibitions / Bulletin Boards in schools and prominent places
- Community donations to school libraries (get the politicians involved – they love publicity!)
- Recognizing outstanding students who have used the library
- Honoring those who have contributed to the school library in the past year
- Posting messages on various listservs
- Writing to the newspapers, and radio / TV stations
- Sending greetings to school library friends and non-school librarians through Facebook or other social media
As you carry out your activities, we would love to hear on what you did. Send in your submissions for “What people are doing for ISLM 2014”, with pictures if possible, by email to lesley.farmer@csulb.edu