University Library News Release
Date: April 9, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanette Smith, NMSU Library, (505) 646-7492, jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu
NMSU Library Program to Feature Children's Literature
The NMSU Library will present a program featuring specialists in children's literature on Monday, April 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. on the second floor of Zuhl Library. The event will feature a panel discussion by El Paso author Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Las Cruces illustrator Flo Hosa Dougherty, and NMSU languages and linguistics professor Dr. Cecilia Pino.
The free public event is part of the Library's annual celebration of El Día de los Niños/ El Día de los Libros (Children's Day/Book Day). It is funded by a grant from NMSU's Southwest and Border Cultures Institute.
The program was organized by Humanities Librarian Mardi Mahaffy and Irene Shown of the Library's reference staff. Shown is the immediate past president of the state chapter of REFORMA, a national association that promotes library services to Latinos and Spanish-speakers.
Mahaffy said, "Our invited guests will address how Southwestern culture is reflected in children's literature, the unique aspects of writing or illustrating for children, and issues related to bilingual literacy in education."
Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the program. El Día de los Niños/ El Día de los Libros was founded by Pat Mora, the author of Tomás and the Library Lady and other children's books. The day's purpose is to celebrate children, families, culture and reading, especially in diverse and bilingual communities.
For more information, please contact Mahaffy at (505) 646-6925 or Shown at (505) 646-4129.
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