Chicago, IL--(HISPANIC PR WIRE - PRNewswire)--March 5, 2008--As libraries throughout the country continue to expand their collections for diverse communities, thousands will celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) on April 30, 2008. Thousands of libraries will host celebrations with family programs, including bilingual story hours, book giveaways and other literacy events.

Also known as Día, this national celebration brings together children, books, languages and cultures. It is an annual celebration of the joys and wonders of childhood and the importance of literacy in the lives of families. Día spreads “bookjoy” by linking children from all languages and cultures with books; honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country’s changing populations.

Día is sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, and is an enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925. Children’s Day was designated as a day to bring attention to the importance and well-being of children. In 1996, nationally acclaimed children’s book author Pat Mora proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy. REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking is Founding Partner of Día.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of service to children in all types of libraries.

Call your local library or visit http://www.ala.org/dia for book lists and more information.

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