Sample text that can be used as the basis for a press release or a letter to promote ISLD locally.


On Monday, October 2nd, 2006, students and school library staff around the UK and Ireland will celebrate International School Library Day for the first time.  The aim of this special day is to celebrate school libraries and librarians and to highlight their importance in the education of our children.

In __________ school we will be marking the day by ____________.

Research shows that student achievement increases with access to effective school libraries with well-funded, up-to-date, curriculum-based collections and well qualified librarians who work collaboratively with classroom teachers. 

In addition, students become better readers when they have access to a good school library and plenty of books to read.  
* students get a large portion of their reading materials from school libraries 
* students read more when they have a comfortable place to read 
* free voluntary reading has an impact on reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling ability, grammar usage and writing style 
* access to a wide range of books and magazines predicts higher reading achievement 
* an ample supply of books is key to the development of independent and engaged readers, particularly second language learners 
* students who read more, typically, have higher literacy development as well as higher student achievement 
* SATs scores tend to be 10 to 20% higher in schools with an investment of well-stocked, well-equipped school libraries, managed by qualified and motivated professional librarians working with support staff. 

Many of the research studies can be found on the School Library Association's webpage http://www.sla.org.uk/advocacy.php

For more information about ISLD in the UK and Ireland see http://www.sla.org.uk/isld.php