Monday October 27 is the International School Library Day and school libraries in Seychelles will be celebrating this occasion with some special activities for pupils and students.

In some cases the school library is organizing activities to take place in the community, as in St Louis where a public speaking competition between three secondary schools will take place. This activity will be held in the district's administration office starting at 9.30 a.m.

International School Library Day was proclaimed by the President of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) in 1999 and first celebrated in October that year.  The aim of this special day is to draw attention to the importance of school libraries in the education of our children.

Research has shown that students achieve more in their schoolwork when they have access to a school library with a good collection and strong educational programmes.  In addition, students become better readers when they have access to a school library and books to read.

This year, the theme for International School Library Day is “Breaking Down Barriers”,  which highlights the importance of school libraries in overcoming the barriers that prevent students from achieving their full potential.  School libraries promote information skills and lifelong learning.  Among these skills are reading and literacy skills as well as skills of finding and working with information.

Enquiries about the programme of activities of school libraries can be directed to Dorothy Lodoiska at Documentation Centre on phone number 283227 or 712898 (email: docedu@email.sc) or to school librarians or headteachers of respective schools.

Some of the international activities for this day will appear on the World Wide Web site of IASL, called “School Libraries Online” (www.iasl-slo.org). 

Some schools in Seychelles, like other schools around the world, will be sending a report of the local International School Library Day activity to the IASL Web site, where it will be available for other school to read.

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