PRESS RELEASE "Dia is turning 20!

Children’s Day/Book Day
El Dia de Los Ninos/ El Dia de Los Libros
Dia is turning 20!

Children’s Day, Book Day, in Spanish, El día de los niños, el día de los libros, often known as Día, (day in Spanish) is a year-long commitment to linking children and families to books. A collaboration of national library and literacy organizations, educators, presses and readers, Día creatively celebrates all our children, the importance of bookjoy in their daily lives, and promotes culminating April Children’s Day, Book Day celebrations that unite communities. April book fiestas are held in libraries, schools, homes, parks, etc., often near April 30th.   Dia founder, New Mexico Author, Pat Mora learned about the Mexican tradition of celebrating April 30th as El día del niño, the day of the child. the day of the child.  Pat Mora thought, "We have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We need kids’ day too, but I want to connect all children with bookjoy, the pleasure of reading."  Visit the website for more information and books by NM Author, Pat Mora at www.patmora.com.

Register an event for New Mexico
dia.ala.org

The celebration is not only for school and public libraries, but for every youth program, including afterschool in New Mexico.  Anyone can attend a program by finding an event on the find an searchable national Dia map open to the public. Visit REFORMA de Nuevo Mexico http://reformanm.blogspot.com/ and sign up to receive updates.  REFORMA, THE National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking has a chapter in New Mexico and assisted author Pat Mora with this family literacy initiative.

The common goals of all Día literacy programs are to:

• Celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books, stories and libraries.
• Recognize and respect culture, heritage and language as powerful tools for strengthening families and communities.
• Nurture cognitive and literacy development in ways that honor and embrace a child’s home language and culture.
• Introduce families to community resources that provide opportunities for learning through multiple literacies.
• Share Dia Videos located on Bookjoy
  http://www.patmora.com/whats-dia/ 
  
  
  
  Contact us for more information

NM State Library and "DIA"

This April the NM State Library is encouraging all libraries to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Día de los libros, a celebration of reading created by children’s author Pat Mora. It can be as simple as encouraging your patrons to spend some time on April 30^th reading to someone special: a parent, a friend, a family member, a beloved pet, their favorite librarian! Or if you’re feeling more ambitious ALSC is encouraging librarians to apply for a mini-grant to help with the costs of a program. Good luck and please send me any photos of any Día celebrations happening around the state!

Deanne Dekle, Youth Services & Outreach Consultant 

NewMexico State Library

There have also been 3 Día PSA’s created (all filmed in NM!) and you are free to share them or use them as you wish! I know that there are plans to film at least one more this year and the filmmakers hope to add more every year! Those links are:

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mCRtT_ItfE&feature=youtu.be (my favorite!)

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIV1NmU2U4o&feature=youtu.be

·         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-63TclLyiY&feature=youtu.be