Monday October 26, 2020 | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND
by Mary Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
Today Monday October 26 is School Library Day in Canada. In addition to the access that citizens have to mainstream and independent media, children have access to reliable information through school libraries.
Libraries were closed in many schools in BC under the previous BC Liberal government, as part of cutbacks of teacher-librarians. That was the thin edge of losing access to knowledge. Knowledge is power. It equips citizens to make their own decisions.
Editors and librarians play key role in a world where much disinformation is posted on social media. Part of being a critical thinker is having access to information that is known to be reliable. In schools, students can learn — from use of the school library (in-school or online) and librarians — how to determine credibility of information and sources.
International, Canadian and local libraries:
October is Canadian Library Month as declared by the Canadian Federation of Library Associations. It’s an annual celebration of libraries, library workers and the services they provide to their users. They outline how libraries play an important role in democratic through access to knowledge and discovery in Canadian communities, including schools.
October is also International School Library Month (ISLM), an annual celebration of school libraries worldwide. The 2020 theme for ISLM is “Finding Your Way to Good Health and Well Being”. It is based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3, “Good Health and Well Being”. This year the International Association of School Librarianship invites participants to think about and celebrate the link between books, reading, school libraries, good health and well being.
Canadian School Libraries celebrates the role of school libraries as part of Canadian Library Month and International School Library Month. CSLD provides an opportunity to celebrate the unique contribution of school libraries to student success and well-being.
Canadian School Library Day theme & activities:
The theme of Canada School Libraries Day (CSLD) 2020 is A Day in the Library Learning Commons. The day will look quite different this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. School library professionals across the country are rising to the challenge of supporting all learners in inventive new ways. CSLD provides a great opportunity to highlight the unique contribution of the school library and school library professionals.
In this pandemic year, the CSLD celebration might be about promoting a virtual collection or helping teachers find other online resources. Some schools may have set up a school virtual library learning commons website to engage students with reading, inquiry and making. Some librarians may be connecting with classes online, with read-alouds or research lessons. Outdoor inquiry walks or hosting author visits are other activities.
SD62 recognizes library role and staff:
Today the Sooke School District (SD62) said on Canadian School Library Day: “It is great to see national recognition for the important and evolving role that school libraries play in our schools. We are very proud of our library/learning commons and the talented staff that work in them.”