Celebrating reading

International Literacy Day, celebrated on Sept. 8, emphasizes the essential role of literacy in empowering individuals and nurturing literate communities. 

“It’s a day to celebrate the joy of reading and the shared experience of storytelling,” said Patricia Alvarado, director of Library and Media Services. “By cultivating a culture where students identify as readers, both at school and at home, we’re not just teaching essential skills—we’re instilling a lifelong love for reading that will continue to enrich their lives and our community long after they’ve left our schools.”

According to UNESCO, at least one out of seven adults aged 15 and above— approximately 765 million—lacked basic literacy skills. Part of International Literacy Day is to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating a more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society, according to the UNESCO website. 

To find free resources available to Dallas ISD team members and students, visit the Library and Media Services website at www.dallasisd.org/librarymediaservices.