Canadian School Library Day – Canadian School Libraries

Canadian School Library Day / Journée nationale des bibliothèques scolaires canadiennes

Canadian School Library Day celebrates the central role that school libraries play in the education and development of young people.

CSL applauds the brilliant work that school libraries accomplish every single day across Canada. We invite everyone to shine a light on how learning in the Library Learning Commons is making a difference in their school, and share their accomplishments on Canadian School Library Day.

Canadian School Library Day is on Monday October 21, 2024

CSLD 2023 Theme: Speak Up for School Libraries!

Canadian School Libraries is pleased to proclaim Monday October 23 as Canadian School Library Day / Journée nationale des bibliothèques scolaires canadiennes (CSLD/JNBSC). CSLD provides an opportunity to celebrate the unique contribution of school libraries to student success and well-being.

Canadian School Library Day 2023: Speak Up for School Libraries

The theme of CSLD 2023 is Speak Up for School Libraries! The past year has demonstrated yet again excellence in instructional practice in School Library Learning Commons right across Canada as well as the continued leadership of school library professionals coast to coast. Canadian school libraries have also met with significant challenges in recent months regarding book banning and other collection development and management issues. In response CSL prepared a position statement, Book Challenges and Censorship in Canada’s School Libraries, in support of school library professionals who are on the front lines of these challenges. CSL also supports library professionals with a guide to developing excellent school library collections, the Collection Diversity Toolkit.

We encourage school LLC this year to celebrate Canadian School Library Day by sharing the progressive work you do but also speak out and amplify the message that school libraries make a difference, and that every child in Canada deserves an excellent school library.

How might you Speak Up for School Libraries on CSLD and every day?

Contribute an article to your school/district newsletter
Share accomplishments on social media and use #CSLD2023
Present at a community/parent/staff meeting
Post learning goals and documentation of student success in the physical and virtual LLC
Invite administrators, district officials, and media to observe LLC in action
Share student/staff testimonials and success data in an advocacy campaign
Create bookmarks, and other Speak Up for School Libraries swag for your campaign
Wear a T-Shirt like OSLA’s School Library Joy
Host a community celebration of the LLC in Action
Make use of CSL and local advocacy resources in your promotion such as Time to Make Room Poster: Your Guide to Ensuring Cultural Relevance in the SLLC and Excellent School Libraries handout/poster
Share what the research says from the CSL Research Archive

More Events and Making Connections

More ways to celebrate libraries, reading, and learning.

We invite you to celebrate these other important events and make connections to your own school library program and CSLD. Each sponsoring organization offers ideas and resources for making the most of their events. Go all out or focus on one theme or special event!

October is International School Library Month, sponsored by the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL). The 2023 theme for ISLM is The School Library: My Happy Place where Creativity and Imagination Flourish. Find out more about ISLM.

Canadian Library Month 2023: Libraries for Life

October is Canadian Library Month, sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA). All month long, libraries and library partners across Canada are raising awareness of the valuable role libraries play in Canadians’ lives. The theme for Canadian Library Month 2023 is Libraries for Life / Biblios pour la vie. Find out more here.

I Read Canadian Day is on November 8, 2023. IRCD is a national day of celebration of Canadian books for young people. This is a day dedicated to ‘reading Canadian’ and will empower families, schools, libraries and organizations to host local activities and events. IRCD challenges the nation to “Read Canadian” for 15 minutes. Young people are encouraged to read, or be read to, a Canadian book of their choice. Find out more about IRCD.

Media Literacy Week takes place October 23 to 27, sponsored by MediaSmarts. MLW is an annual event promoting digital media literacy across Canada. Schools, libraries, museums and community groups organize events and activities throughout the week. Canadian School Libraries is a Media Literacy Week Collaborator organization. Find out more about MLW.

Whatever your approach, Canadian School Library Day and all of these events are designed to celebrate what you do. Take this opportunity to Speak Up for School Libraries!

CSLD / JNBSC is celebrated annually on the fourth Monday of October.