Shirley, NY - April 17th, 2015 - The Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library (MMSCL) will join libraries across the nation on Friday, May 1, from 4-6 pm, in celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day) or Día!, a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds and is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. MMSCL will showcase a variety of multicultural programs and services for children and family throughout the event.

“Libraries are part of the American Dream – places that support family, education, self-help and lifelong learning,” said Kerri Rosalia, Director, MMSCL. “Through literacy events and programs like Día!, libraries are working with parents and caregivers to raise avid readers.”

At Día!, MMSCL will offer family crafts, music, giveaways, Songs by Lena and Master Storyteller, “Uaian.”

Día! culminates every year on April 30, and is an outgrowth of Children’s Day, which began in 1925. It began in 1996 when Pat Mora, a nationally acclaimed children’s author, proposed linking the celebration of childhood and children with literacy to create Día!    

For more information please call Patricia Mininni at 399-1511, extension 377, or visit the MMSCL website at www.communitylibrary.org.