1. The International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) has declared the month of October 2009 to be International School Library Month (ISLM). During October 2009 school libraries across the world and in South Africa will celebrate and promote library and information services at schools, using the theme: School Libraries: the Big Picture.
2. International School Library Month will allow those in charge of school libraries around the world to choose a day in October that best fits their specific situation in order to celebrate the importance of school libraries.
3. Please open the accompanying attachments for a range of suggestions as to how WCED schools could celebrate International School Library Month 2009, some useful websites to visit, an ISLM poster and the official version of the ISLM logo to use in promotional materials. Note that this logo must be used for publicising International School Library Month and not for commercial purposes.
4. In view of the increasingly essential role played by learning and teaching support material (LTSM) in teaching and learning, teachers should be aware of the availability of library resources for this purpose. As part of the celebration of International School Library Month 2009 and the promotion of the library and information services of the WCED, you and your staff are invited to arrange a visit to the EDULIS Library or your Education District Resource Centre for orientation and information regarding these services and the available specialised library resources.
5. The EDULIS Library in Bellville and the District Resource Centres in Mitchells Plain, Paarl, George, Worcester and Kuils River have the following library-based LTSM available for individual loan by teachers, or block loans by schools:

  • Inspiring activity-based ideas for lesson plans, and for literacy and numeracy development (many of which can be photocopied);
  • A wide range of curriculum support material;
  • A vast collection of recently published books on management and leadership;
  • Thought-provoking material in support of educational research and policy development;
  • Material covering current critical issues, e.g. literacy and numeracy, inclusion, discipline and behaviour problems, differentiation, HIV/AIDS, and foetal alcohol syndrome;
  • Learner-focused materials (including picture books and novels for learners of all ages to use during reading periods), which have been specially evaluated and reviewed to help schools select materials to purchase from Norms and Standards funding or from own funds for their school libraries;
  • Videos, DVDs, audiocassettes, CDs, CD ROMs and multimedia covering a wide range of topics to enrich and support classroom teaching and learning as well as to enhance school management.
6. The following librarians may be contacted regarding the above:

Susan Hanekom EDULIS Library, Bellville 021 957 9618
Cheryl Joseph Metro East Resource Centre/EDULIS Branch Library, Kuils River 021 900 5111
Ntombi Mngxuma Metro South Brian O'Connell Resource Centre, Mitchells Plain 021 370 2084
Ina Heiberg West Coast Resource Centre, Paarl 021 860 1229
Sam Webber Eden & Karoo Resource Centre, George 044 803 8328
Janine Ontong Cape Winelands Resource Centre, Worcester 023 348 4657
7. In the absence of a functioning resource centre in the Metro Central Education District and in response to numerous requests from educators at schools in the district, a collection point was established at EDUMEDIA in Mowbray for school block loans from the EDULIS Library. This interim measure will be applicable until there is a resource centre at the Metro Central Education District Office.


SIGNED: SM NAICKER
ACTING HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:09:22

Suggested activities for International School Library Month  (size: 21 KB)
ISLM poster  (size: 622 KB)
ISLM logo  (size: 35 KB)