1. Libraries are the keys to the global network that give us access to information. It is therefore essential that our school libraries become true learning resource centres and that the importance of school libraries be widely recognised.
2. As a sub-strategy to promote access to information, the WCED's Human Capital Development Strategy for the Western Cape (2006) states, inter alia, that resource centres and libraries should be developed at each school to provide for a wide range of learning and teaching support material (LTSM) and its effective management, and for the integration of information literacy programmes in support of teaching and learning.
3. International research continues to show that learners who have access to effective school library programmes have a higher level of literacy and achieve higher grades. If a school wants to provide effective OBE, and intends to create a well-resourced environment in which worthwhile learning and teaching can take place, it has to ensure adequate provisioning of relevant library resources in various formats (print, analogue, digital, including online access) for use by learners and teachers.
4. In 1999 the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) declared the fourth Monday of October as the annual International School Library Day (ISLD). Since then, this day has been celebrated in many countries in various ways. The 2007 ISLD will be celebrated on Monday, 22 October, and the theme for this year is "Learning: Powered by your School Library".
5. ISLD should therefore be seen as a recognition of the role and importance of libraries in lifelong learning, i.e. providing essential literacy and LTSM throughout the school system. Learners can achieve on a higher level and become more competent readers when they have access to a school library with a good resource collection, books that learners enjoy reading and strong information literacy programmes.
6. Some reasons why schools should celebrate ISLD:
  • To remind school librarians across the world of the importance of what libraries can do, and are doing, in relation to national development
  • To highlight the role that the school library plays in a learner's education from pre-school through to FET
  • To share ideas, initiatives and innovations so that those involved in school libraries, including teachers in all learning areas, can learn from one another
  • To recognise the contribution librarians make to their colleagues and communities.
7. The attached Annexure A suggests some ways in which WCED schools can celebrate International School Library Day on Monday, 22 October 2007.


SIGNED: M.J. CHILES
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:10:15

Annexure A  (size: 42 KB)