October is International School Library Month (ISLM), an annual celebration of school libraries worldwide.
The 2021 theme for ISLM is “Fairy Tales and Folk Tales around the World.”
It is based on the 2021 IASL Conference theme “A Rich Tapestry of Practice and Research Around the World.”
The line “Once upon a time. . .” immediately takes us all to the magical world of books, through which we get a sneak peek into the lives of fairies, goblins, pixies and more.
There are stories that have been passed down from many generations about the past which teach us about human values and culture.
Let us connect and learn more about different countries worldwide through the medium of stories.
We hope that ISLM 2021 will be a wonderfully creative, imaginative worldwide celebration of the school library.
The theme can be interpreted in many ways, but whichever way we choose, it underlies the importance of school libraries.
TAKE VIRTUAL TOURS OF THESE STUNNING LIBRARIES:
For some stuck at home, with travel and everyday library visits alike on indefinite hiatus as society works to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, virtual tourism has become a lifeline.
It offers beauty, expanse, culture, and a momentary escape from anxiety. Some of the most beautiful architecture in the world is found in libraries, which ensure that everyone in their communities can enjoy their amazing spaces. Even if you can’t visit a particular library in person, you may be able to explore its highlights virtually online.
- Vatican Library(Vatican City, Rome, Italy)
- Bodleian Libraries (Oxford, England)
- Vasconcelos Library (Mexico City, Mexico)
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria, Egypt)
- Liyuan Library (Jiaojiehe, China)
- VAC Library (Hanoi, Vietnam)
- Seattle Metaphysical Library (Ballard, Washington, U.S.)
- Biblo Tøyen (Oslo, Norway)
- Library of Parliament (Ottawa, Canada)
- Mansueto Library (University of Chicago)
- New York Public Library
- Library of Congress (Washington, D.C.)
- Bodleian Library (University of Oxford)
- Seattle Public Library
