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June is Rainbow Book Month™

Rainbow Book Month™ is a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual community. Originally established in the early 1990s by The Publishing Triangle as National Lesbian and Gay Book Month, this occasion is an opportunity for book lovers and libraries with the very best in LGBTQIA+ literature.

At a time when books by and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals are under siege and library workers are facing threats and harassment for serving these communities, Rainbow Book Month has never been more important. If your library is experiencing challenges to materials and programs serving the LGBTQIA+ community, please contact the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom to report censorship and receive free confidential support. ALA's Fight Censorship page provides resources to prepare for and respond to challenges to library books, materials, and services.

Rainbow Book Month™ is an initiative of the American Library Association, and is coordinated through its Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services and the Rainbow Round Table.

Customizable Publicity Materials and Templates

Get the word out in your community about Rainbow Book Month™ and your library's celebrations! ALA has developed these free, customizable publicity templates that are ready for your library to adapt and submit to your local media.

Rainbow Book Month™ Press Release Template [DOCX]

Rainbow Book Month™ Flyer [PDF]

Rainbow Book Month™ Letter-to-the-Editor Template [DOCX]

Rainbow Book Month™ PSA scripts [DOCX]

Rainbow Book Month™ Radio PSA scripts [DOCX]

Rainbow Book Month Social Media Graphics

Share how your institution is celebrating Rainbow Book Month™ with the following social media graphics, and use #RainbowBookMonth to join the conversation!

Rainbow Book Month Facebook Profile [PNG]

Rainbow Book Month Facebook Post [PNG]

Rainbow Book Month Twitter Profile [PNG]

Rainbow Book Month Twitter Header [PNG]

Rainbow Book Month Twitter Post [PNG]

Rainbow Book Month Instagram Post [PNG]

Libraries Transform Social Media/Promotional Graphics

Celebrate the importance of inclusive stories year-round with the following downloadable graphics from the Libraries Transform campaign!

LGBTQIA+ Book Awards and Bibliographies from ALA

The American Library Association supports LGBTQIA+ literature through the Stonewall Book Awards (in Children's and Young Adult, Non-Fiction, and Literature categories), as well as two bibliographies including the Rainbow Book List and Over the Rainbow Book List. These awards and lists serve to recognize the very best in contemporary literature and serve as invaluable tools for building quality LGBTQIA+ collections.

Tools for Library Workers

Holding a book discussion or programming this June in honor of Rainbow Book Month™? Authors, publishers, school districts, reading organizations, and even the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund have put time and effort into creating reading guides specifically for book discussions. ALA has also created several resources around best practices for community-informed programming. Below are several tools which can be used on their own or as jumping off points.

For general information, please contact:

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

American Library Association

For media inquiries, please refer to the press kit and contact the American Library Association Communications and Marketing Office cmomedia@ala.org.

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June is Rainbow Book Month™ Rainbow Book Month™ is a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual community.

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The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20170915213532/http://dropeverythingandread.com/

D.E.A.R. Friends,

Welcome to the official "Drop Everything and Read" website-where dropping things (chores, errands, paperwork, staplers . . . okay, maybe not that last one) and reading books is highly encouraged!

Our assertion around here is that reading, whether you're on your own or cozied up on the couch with your kids, is so much more fun and rewarding than just about anything else (especially, chores!). So, we're telling folks of all ages to "drop" what they're doing and pick up a book, instead.

And, what's more, we've packed the pages of this website with reading lists, activity ideas, digital assets, and other resources to get you started and keep you busy. Join us and help spread the love of reading in your home, school, and community all month long in April and beyond!

Sincerely,
HarperCollins Children's Books

p.s. You may remember that Beverly Cleary wrote about D.E.A.R. in Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Since then, "Drop Everything and Read" programs have been held nationwide on April 12th in honor of Mrs. Cleary's birthday. We figured, why not "drop" the "day" and celebrate our beloved author, her timeless stories, and the joy of reading for the full month. So, "drop" by this website all month long in April and anytime you want to make reading a priority!

Art by Jacqueline Rogers. © 2013 HarperCollins Publishers.

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The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20170915213532/http://dropeverythingandread.com/ D.E.A.R. Friends, Welcome to the official "Drop Everything and Read" website-where dropping things (chores, errands, paperwork, staplers . . . okay, maybe not that last one) and reading books is highly encouraged!

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American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

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Description and History

School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning.The AASL efforts for a national School Library Month were spearheaded by Lucille Thomas, chair of the School Library Media Month Committee. Thomas was appointed by President Judy King in 1983. Their work came to fruition on April 1, 1985, when AASL officials, local and national dignitaries got the first School Library Month off to a rousing start with a ceremony on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. Learn more about the history of School Library Month.

Related Events

Promotional & Advocacy Tools

Administrator Toolkit

Use the materials below as conversation starters with your administrator.

Librarians not only craft their instruction to meet state standards and expectations, but also look to the National School Library Standards as a foundation for learning. This four page guide is an overview of the Standards for Learners.

Want to hear from administrators on what they think of school libraries? AASL has an entire YouTube playlist of videos like the one below:

This research-based infographic about the positive impact of school librarians also indicates eight characteristics of libraries with high student achievement.Share with your administrator to discuss how administrator support of school librarians greatens their impact on student learning.

This 23 page impact study from the Northeast Comprehensive Center takes a deep look at the four main roles of a school librarian and how they empower student learning and success.

Top Two Issues School Librarians Wish their Administrators Knew examines the impact increased technology responsibilities and "other duties as assigned" have on student learning and library programs. This Knowledge Quest blog post is authored by the School Library Journal's 2021 Librarian of the Year, Amanda Jones.

Spread the Word

Invite Observation
Provide your administrator with your own observation checklist. This checklist inspired by middle school librarian, Linda Mitchell, asks an administrator to quickly notice what is happening in the library space on impromptu visits. You may wish to post a request to "Observe Me" outside of your door with a scannable QR code to a feedback form. Merge this idea with "Pineapple Charts" and you may wish to post a Pineapple Invitation (Canva template) at your doors.

Invite Fellow Librarians to Celebrate
Host a School Library Pal name exchange for the month.Carolyn Vibbert shares her tips and Google Form questions for others to execute their own Secret Librarian exchange.

Proclamation Templates
Ask your school and elected officials and request they proclaim the month of April as School Library Month! The following samples are based on actual proclamations shared with AASL by its members. They are presented here as templates that can be downloaded and modified to fit your needs.

Governor 1 | Governor 2 | Governor 3 | Mayor 1 | Mayor 2 | Town Council | Board of Education 1 | Board of Education 2

Graphics and Presentation Templates
Click an image below to download a zip file containing graphics, a PowerPoint template, and a poster you can use to create your own School Library Month celebration! Graphics are freely available for use provided no alterations are made and that the posting is for education, noncommercial purposes only.

Spokespeople Videos
Embed these videos from School Library Month Spokespeople on your library website or share across social media to spread the word on the importance of school libraries.

Professional Learning Resources

Empowering Next Gens With Media Literacy
Archived Webinar
AASL and the Getting Better Foundation host a panel discussion on the importance of media literacy in education and the need for school librarians as the educators who teach this foundational skill.

"Trust Me" Guides: Student Notebook | Collegiate Guide | Guide for Educators | Guide for Parents

AASL "Trust Me" Documentary Watch Party
Supplement the Empowering Next Gens With Media Literacy panel discussion by watching a special School Library Month viewing of the documentary, Trust Me. Produced by the Getting Better Foundation, Trust Me explores how media technology is influencing society and what can be done about it. The film uses compelling human stories, facts, and experts to show empirical realities and the right way to consume media. Proceeds from viewings will be split between AASL and the Getting Better Foundation.

AASL Town Hall | Supporting Equity, Choice, and Student Voice in the Library
Archived Webinar
There is no better time than School Library Month to talk about providing equity for our students and providing student voice and choice in the library. How do we equitably provide services to our students? How do we provide them choice in the library? How can we include their voice in our services? AASL President Kathy Lester and AASL member panelists discuss our amazing students and how to provide them equity, choice, and voice in our libraries.

Artificial Intelligence in the School Library
Archived Webinar
Presented by the AASL Independent Schools Section, this webinar will explore how AI-enabled search and Open AI will change how school librarians craft library instruction and work with faculty and students.

Our Brave Communities: Embracing School Librarians
ALA Connect Live: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 5:00 p.m. Central
There are many challenges facing the school library profession including equity of access to certified school librarians for students across the nation and an unprecedented number of book challenges and censorship efforts. You're invited to join ALA President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada and AASL President Kathy Lester to learn how everyone in the library ecosystem can support school librarians and their students as they face these challenges.

AASL Town Hall | Celebrate School Library Month
Archived Webinar
AASL President Kathy Lester and members of the AASL School Library Event Promotion Committee to explore ways school librarians can celebrate the essential role they and their school libraries play in transforming learning.

Celebrate School Library Month Webinar
Archived Webinar
Hear from six school librarians as they share ways to celebrate School Library Month for grades Pre-K to 12.

Learner Engagement Resources

Be Creative!
Browse the resources curated to celebrate Crayola Creativity Week and let them inspire you and your learners.

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Description and History School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning.The AASL efforts for a national School Library Month were spearheaded by Lucille Thomas, chair of the School Library Media Month Committee.

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CSLP firmly stands against all racist practices, violence and continued oppression of our African American community as well as Indigenous and People of Color. We stand in solidarity with those advocating justice and equal opportunity for everyone. We support those protesting against systemic racism and government corruption. CSLP is committed to empower libraries to foster community free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, or any other status. We do not condone hate, racism and intolerance of any kind.

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CSLP firmly stands against all racist practices, violence and continued oppression of our African American community as well as Indigenous and People of Color. We stand in solidarity with those advocating justice and equal opportunity for everyone. We support those protesting against systemic racism and government corruption.

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Get Minecraft Education for your classroom. Find out how using this game will take your students’ learning to the next level.

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Scratch is a free programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations.

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TAG-Ed is a 501c3 non-profit formed by the Technology Association of Georgia. We provide career preparation skills, internships, and training opportunities.

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EasyBib®: Free Bibliography Generator - MLA, APA, Chicago citation styles

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Automatic works cited and bibliography formatting for MLA, APA and Chicago/Turabian citation styles. Now supports MLA 9.

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GALILEO is your gateway to credible and authoritative resources -- a universe of full‑text articles, ebooks, journals, educational videos and more.