1. The International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) has declared the month of October to be International School Library Month (ISLM). During October 2010 school libraries across the world and in South Africa will celebrate and promote library and information services at schools, using the theme: Diversity, Challenge, Resilience - School Libraries Have It All.
2. International School Library Month will allow those in charge of school libraries around the world to choose a day in October 2010 that best fits their particular situation in order to celebrate the importance of school libraries.
3. Over the past two years more than 600 schools in the WCED have benefited from the QIDS-UP (Quality Improvement Development Support and Upliftment Programme) School Library Project. These schools received a supply of library material, library furniture and, in larger schools, a dedicated computer and software for use in the school library, as well as training for a library co-ordinator. The WCED is encouraging schools that have set up their school library as a result of the QIDS-UP School Library Project, or on their own initiative, to celebrate their achievement by launching their school library during the month of October 2010. Should you wish to be added to a special list of schools in the WCED that will be launching their school library during October, please contact Theresa de Young at EDULIS at tel no 021 957 9638 or e-mail address TdeYoung@pgwc.gov.za
4. Please open the accompanying two attachments for a range of suggestions as to how WCED schools could celebrate ISLM 2010, some useful websites to visit 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.
5. In view of the increasingly essential role played by learning and teaching support material (LTSM) in education, teachers should be aware of the availability of library resources for this purpose. As part of the celebration of ISLM 2010 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.
6. The EDULIS Library in Bellville and the district resource centres in Mitchell's Plain, Paarl, George, Worcester and Kuils River have the following library-based LTSM available for individual loans by teachers and principals, 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 education 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, school safety 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 LTSM 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.
7. 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, Mitchell's Plain 021 370 2084
Ina Heiberg West Coast Resource Centre, Paarl 021 860 1229
Sam Webber Eden & Central Karoo Resource Centre, George 044 803 8328
Janine Ontong Cape Winelands Resource Centre, Worcester 023 348 4657
Sara Clegg Overberg Education District, Caledon 028 214 7300

8. 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 has been established at EDUMEDIA in Mowbray for individual and school block loans from the EDULIS Library. This interim measure will be applicable until a resource centre is established at the Metro Central Education District Office.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2010:08:30

Suggested activities for International School Library month  (size: 23 KB)
ISLMonth logo 2010  (JPEG image: size: 48 KB)