International School Library Month and World Teachers' Day

1 October 2009 – 31 October 2009 is International School Library Month.
The theme of the 2009 International School Library Month (previously International School Library Day) will be School Libraries: The Big Picture. The event offers school librarians around the world an opportunity to share with each other others in education and in school communities.
More information can be found at http://www.iasl-online.org/events/islm/

And the 30th October 2009 is World Teachers' Day...
World Teachers' Day provides an opportunity for the public to recognise the role of teachers within the community. Celebrated in over 100 countries, World Teachers' Day acknowledges teachers' efforts in changing and challenging environments. The event is celebrated on the last Friday of October in Australia, but in many other countries takes place on the the first Friday of October. See the http://tiny.cc/Unescoworldteachersday for more information.

From the UNESCO site :

Why is literacy important?
Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy.
Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA). A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development .

The UNESCO/IFLA School Library Manifesto http://www.unesco.org/webworld/libraries/manifestos/school_manifesto.html