Libraries to bridge cultures- El día de los niños/El día de los libros celebration.

As the nation’s population continues to become more diverse, hundreds of libraries will showcase their multicultural programs and services this April 30th during national El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). This year marks the 12th anniversary of the observance also known as Día, and libraries across the country will host Día celebrations with family programs, including bilingual story hours, book giveaways, and other literacy events.

Most of today’s libraries provide a wide range of opportunities for people with diverse needs and interests. A national American Library Association (ALA) study found that the most popular and successful activities offered in libraries are English as Second Language classes, language-specific materials and collections, computer use and classes, and storytimes.

Día honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country’s changing populations

This year, through the generosity of Nickelodeon(R), Dora the Explorer(TM) will support Día as its first ever spokescharacter. Dora can be found in libraries throughout the country posing for a special bilingual poster and bookmark that encourage children to “Celebrate Books!” (Celebremos los libros!).

“Dia is an example of how libraries are places of opportunity,” said Jane B. Marino, president, Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC), sponsors of Día. “They are part of the American Dream, places that support family, education, self-help and lifelong learning.”

Spanish is, by far, the most supported non-English language in public libraries. Seventy-eight percent of libraries reported Spanish as the priority #1 language to which they develop services and programs. Asian languages ranked second in priority at 29 percent. Another 17.6 percent of libraries indicated Indo-European languages as a second priority.

Through literacy events and programs like Día, libraries are working with parents and caregivers to raise avid readers. Current research on early literacy and brain development indicates that it is never too early to prepare children for success as readers.

El Paso Public Library in Texas, for example, will host its annual Día event. The event is extremely popular. Last year more than 35,000 people of all ages attended the event, and the library gave away more than 15,000 new children’s books. Libraries will host special bilingual story hour and author events. In California children’s author and Día founder Pat Mora, will participate in story hour event at Riverside County Library System, and Children’s Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky will participate in a Día Children’s BookFest event at Broward County Library in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Día honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country’s changing populations. For multicultural book lists, Día brochures and tips on how to encourage children to read please visit the Día Web site at www.ala.org/dia.

Sponsored by the ALSC, a division of the ALA, Día celebrates the importance of advocating literacy for every child, regardless of linguistic and cultural background. It is a celebration of children, families, and reading and is held annually on April 30.

ALSC is the national center for Día. Through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, ALSC is working with other national organizations, such as Día Founding Partner REFORMA: the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, to initiate communication and education efforts that promote Día to families across the United States.