Children's Day/Book Day = El dia de los Ninos/El dia de los Libros

April 30, 2011 marks the nationwide Hispanic celebration Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day).

Children’s Day is celebrated in many countries throughout the world at different times during the year. On the North American continent, Dia de los Ninos grew from the annual celebration started in 1925 in Mexico.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the American Libraries Association’s annual commemoration, along with the National Association to Promote Library Information and Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking (REFORMA), which emphasizes advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Designed for children pre-school age through fifth grade, many libraries will feature activities that include storytelling, crafts, games, music and dance, piñatas, prizes and snacks.

If you get a chance read to yourself or someone else, the book Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day = Celebremos El dia de los Ninos/El dia de los Libros. It is a bilingual picture book written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Rafael Lopez.

Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian

Turnoff Week/Digital Detox Week

Who would ever think that people of today would unplug their televisions and video games, turn off their computers and media players, or put their cell phones on silent for one day, let alone for an entire week! Well, believe it or not, it will happen. Families across the nation will be turning the television sets off for a week during TV Turnoff Week running April 18-24, 2011. This national event, also called Digital Detox Week, encourages people to use electronic screened media responsibly and have more time for a healthier life, personal time, socializing with friends and reading a book or reading to someone else. Can your family go seven days without watching TV or enjoying any electronic toys? According to a January 2010 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, youth ages 8-18 spend an average of 7 1/2 hours a day with electronic entertainment (and manage 10+ hours of total media since they multi-task.) Our media savvy kids are watching TV, playing video games, posting on Facebook, surfing the net, texting, and listening to music! The maximum time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics is just 2 hours a day! Take the Dare...Join in and unplug your life for ONE week! Thanks for joining me in celebrating National Library Week last week with "Hats on For Reading" spirit day! Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian

Create Your Own Story @ Your Library

National Library Week/School Library Month

National Library Week will be observed April 10-16, 2011 with the theme, "Create your own story @ your library®."

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.

Many school libraries also celebrate the month of April as School Library Month sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians, a division of ALA, with the same theme as National Library Week. Other celebrations during National Library Week include: National Library Workers Day, celebrated the Tuesday of National Library Week (April 12, 2011), a day for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers; National Bookmobile Day, celebrated the Wednesday of National Library Week (April 13, 2011), a day to recognize the contributions of our nation's bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make quality bookmobile outreach possible in their communities; and Support Teen Literature Day, celebrated the Thursday of National Library Week (April 14, 2011), aimed at raising awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today's teens.

Enjoy your library!
Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian

10 Reads for Teens

The Alex Awards are given to 10 books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing. The award is sponsored by the Margaret Alexander Edwards Trust and Booklist. Edwards was a young adult specialist for many years at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Her work is described in her book FAIR GARDEN AND THE SWARM OF BEASTS, and over the years she has served as an inspiration to librarians who serve young adults. The Alex Awards are named after Edwards, who was called "Alex" by her friends. The 2011 award winners are as follows: 1. The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To - DC Pierson, 2. Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard - Liz Murray, 3. Girl in Transition - Jean Kwok, 4. The House of Tomorrow - Peter Bognanni, 5. The Lock Artisy - Steve Hamilton, 6. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender, 7. The Radleys - Matt Haig, 8. The Reapers Are Angels - Alden Bell, 9. Room - Emma Donoghue, and 10. The Vanishing of Katharina Linden - Helen Grant. Two elementary classes have won Library Parties so far this year: Mrs. Kuhlers and Mrs. Mikesell's classes. Mrs. Kuhlers's room has won 2 times! Please remember to bring back your books on library day! Read Every Day! Mrs. T. Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian