MEDIA ADVISORY
SOUTH AFRICAN LIBRARY WEEK – 19-26 MARCH 2011
READ IN YOUR LANGUAGE @ YOUR LIBRARY
The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) is celebrating South African Library Week during 19-26 March 2011 with the theme: “Read in your language @ your library”.
The launch of SA Library Week will take place at the Centre for the Book, Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town on Saturday, 19 March, where the Deputy Minister of Arts & Culture, Dr Joseph Phaahla will address the audience on the importance of libraries on the national development agenda. A public storytelling event will follow in the Company Gardens. See programme attached.
Librarians across the country will be hosting special programmes and launches for SALW during this week to highlight the services and resources available. Members of the public are encouraged to visit their libraries during this period and participate in these activities. A selection of these programmes from around the country is available on the LIASA website, http://www.liasa.org.za.
The theme “Read in your language @ your library” encourages a culture of reading and intends to promote reading and publishing in all South African languages. This theme places the spotlight on the importance of mother tongue instruction as a key factor in education and also to ensure the preservation of culture and language. The establishment of a reading culture starts from foundation years because a reading child will become a reading adult. This theme also encourages the development of a dynamic local publishing industry that focuses on works in all literary genres and non-fiction in African languages in order for South Africa to become a nation of readers. The focus will also be on writing and publishing in all South African languages. The rich cultural diversity of South Africa is reflected in its languages and should be preserved and valued by generations to come. Libraries are perfectly placed in our communities to provide the space, access and opportunities for the development of a thriving reading culture and the preservation and promotion of all the South African languages. The theme “Read in your language @ your library” was translated in all 11 languages by the Language Unit in the Department of Arts and Culture and will be used on the posters for South African Library Week being distributed across the country in libraries and public spaces.
LIASA believes libraries belong at the forefront of SA’s development as a nation. Research has shown that access to reading materials in the mother tongue during the first years of development assists in the development of literacy levels and the development of a reading nation. Publishing in indigenous languages have not enjoyed priority during SA’s transition to a democracy and as libraries we should bring pressure to bear on the publishing industry to view publishing in these languages as more than just a business venture. LIASA endorses the activities of institutions such as The Centre for the Book and the National Library of South Africa in providing books in all local languages as well as the encouragement for authors to write in these languages.
ABOUT LIASA
LIASA is the national professional association for all library and information workers in South Africa. LIASA aims to unite, develop and empower all people in the library and information field. It represents the interests of and promotes the development and image of library and information services in South Africa. More information can be found at: http://www.liasa.org.za.
For any enquiries and information please contact:
Nazeem Hardy, LIASA National PRO
Tel: 021 400 3933
Cell: 084 888 8408
Email: naziem.hardy@capetown.gov.za
Naomi Haasbroek, LIASA President
Tel: 021 843 1259
Mobile: 082 895 9931
E-Mail: president@liasa.org.za
We acknowledge with gratitude the following sponsors and contributors for SALW:
SA Library for the Blind
UKS
Sabinet
Red Pepper Books
NLSA
Centre for the Book
WC Branch of LIASA
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