October is International School Library Month, organized by the International Association of School Librarianship. This group is dedicated to establishing and developing school librarianship in every country in the world. The organization pursues the following objectives:
- To advocate the development of school libraries throughout all countries;
- To encourage the integration of school library programs into the instruction and curriculum of the school;
- To promote the professional preparation and continuing education of school library personnel;
- To foster a sense of community among school librarians in all parts of the world;
- To foster and extend relationships between school librarians and other professions in connection with children and youth;
- To foster research in the field of school librarianship and the integration of its findings with pertinent knowledge from related fields;
- To promote the publication and dissemination of information about successful advocacy and program initiatives in school librarianship;
- To share information about programs and materials for children and youth throughout the international community;
- To initiate and coordinate activities, conferences and other projects in the field of school librarianship and information services.
In the United States, the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association, provides information about the importance of school libraries and the function of school librarians. Informational pages for parents include What School Librarians Do, How to Get Involved, and What Parents Should Know. For school administrators, the site discusses Best Apps for Teaching and Learning, Best Websites for Teaching and Learning, and certified educational workshops for school librarians of both elementary and secondary schools.
