Through programs libraries serve their community by offering a multitude of types of events that represent our culturally pluralistic society. These programs are essential parts of a library’s service to their community as they help children make cross-cultural connections and global perspectives. Below are some tools to help you advocate to your library administration and community about the necessity of offering Día and multicultural programming.
Below you will find some tools to assist you with these advocacy efforts.
ALSC Día Elevator Speech:
Día Elevator Speech: Día helps children and families from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds become critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and active global citizens.
Follow-up Response: Libraries hosting Día, or Diversity in Action, events make a daily commitment to foster cultural understanding through displays, collections, services, and programs that represent our culturally pluralistic society. Each year on April 30th, many libraries plan culminating Día activities to commemorate specific cultural groups within their library community and bring together diverse children and families to celebrate global literacy.
Not sure what an Elevator Speech is or how to use it in your advocacy efforts? Watch ALSC Member Jenna Nemec-Loise’s explanation during the 2015 Leadership & ALSC Keynote on ALSC’s YouTube Channel.
The Importance of Diversity in Library Programs and Material Collections for Children
This white paper, written for the Association for Library Service to Children by Jamie Campbell Naidoo, PhD, was adopted by ALSC's Board of Directors on April 5, 2014. This paper explores the critical role libraries play in helping children make cross-cultural connections and develop skills necessary to function in a culturally pluralistic society.
View and download the full paper on the ALSC website.
National Día Program Registry
The National Día Program Registry allows libraries across the country to enter their programming information into a database in order to promote their upcoming events. Along with being a resource for families wishing to attend a program, the registry is also a collection of Día programming that shows the numerous types and sizes of Día programs offered nation-wide.
Use these program examples when you are talking with your local, state and government officials about the important role libraries play in their community.
Search the database for programs in your state and district!