1. During October 2013 school libraries across the world and in South Africa will celebrate and promote library and information services at schools, using the theme "School Libraries: Doorways to Life". The month of October was declared International School Library Month (ISLM) by the the International Association of School Librarianship.

2. In order to celebrate the importance of school libraries during ISLM, those in charge of school libraries around the world are encouraged to choose a day in October 2013 that best suits their particular situation, even though 28 October 2013 is officially International School Library Day.

3. Schools are encouraged to send a full report (including pictures) for publication to their district school library adviser on what they have done during ISLM. (See paragraphs 6 and 7 below.)

4. Please open the accompanying attachments for
4.1 a range of suggestions on how WCED schools could celebrate ISLM 2013;
4.2 useful websites to visit; and
4.3 the official ISLM logo to use in promotional material. (Note that this logo must be used only for publicising ISLM and not for commercial purposes.)

5. EDULIS offers the following services:
5.1 Co-ordination of and support for the development and use of school libraries
5.2 Co-ordination of and support for training in basic school library administration to teachers in charge of school libraries
5.3 Evaluation and recommendation of curriculum-related library resources to support literacy and numeracy programmes
5.4 Support and co-ordination of special library projects for schools
5.5 Guidance in purchasing library resources, using Norms and Standards and own funding
5.6 Reading guidance to teachers and learners
5.7 Reading promotion through visits to schools to conduct book talks
5.8 Promotion of special library, literacy, reading and book events, such as ISLM (October) and World Book Day (23 April annually)
5.9 Orientation sessions for school staff as part of their professional development
5.10 Assistance with cataloguing library material for school libraries

6. The following EDULIS and district officials may be contacted about the services listed in paragraph 4 above:

Susan Hanekom EDULIS Library, Bellville tel. 021 957 9617
Cheryl Joseph Kuils River Resource Centre Metro East Education District tel. 021 900 5111
Ntombi Mngxuma Brian O’Connell Resource Centre Metro South Education District tel. 021 370 2084
Faith Lawrence School Library Adviser, West Coast Education District tel. 021 860 1562
Janine Ontong School Library Adviser, Cape Winelands Education District tel. 023 348 4657
Sara Clegg School Library Adviser, Overberg Education District tel. 028 214 7387
Jennifer Caroto School Library Adviser, Metro North Education District tel. 021 938 3197

7. Owing to the lack of a school library adviser in several districts and in response to numerous requests from teachers for school library advice, the following EDULIS staff may be contacted in the interim:

Eden & Central Karoo Education District and Metro East Education District:
Rose Damon EDULIS, Bellville tel. 021 957 9626
Metro Central Education District and Metro South Education District:
Theresa de Young EDULIS, Bellville tel. 021 957 9638

8. The EDULIS Library offers block loans to schools to support school libraries. The library’s opening hours are as follows:

Weekdays: 07:30 - 16:30
Saturdays: 09:00 – 12:00
Open: School holidays
Closed: Public holidays and designated days


SIGNED: S MAFANGA-KIBI
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: EDUCATION PLANNING
DATE: 2013:09:03

Suggested activities for International School Library month  (size: 37 KB)
ISLM logo  (size: 47 KB JPEG)