The Regional Secretary for Education and Training announced on Friday morning the launching of artistic projects under the Regional Reading Plan (PRL).

Cláudia Cardoso invited cultural agents in the Region to participate in this initiative by presenting artistic projects at Azorean schools in order to promote the importance of books and reading.

The projects, which may be developed in the areas of performing arts, music or multimedia, should be submitted to the Secretariat for Education until December 23. After submission, the projects will selected by the Coordinating Commission of PRL.

The PRL's invitation to Azorean artists will be published in the Azorean press in coming days. Moreover, further information will be provided on the projects.

The Regional Secretary for Education and Training expects that, similarly to what happened with the students' participation in the contest for the Regional Reading Plan Mascot, "regional cultural agents may respond to this challenge by submitting to the Regional Secretariat their artistic projects which, after being selected by the Coordinating Commission of PRL, will be presented at regional until July 2012."

In addition to this initiative, Cláudia Cardoso reminded that other initiatives will be promoted with the purpose of revitalising school libraries, developing reading activities and meetings.

This is the case of teacher training for the development of reading activities in daily practices at classrooms and schools as well as for the improvement of coordination with students' families in order to encourage reading habits in family context.

This training course is scheduled to take place between January and July 2012.

Moreover, librarians will also attend a training promoted by BAD - Portuguese Association of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists on information systems for document management of libraries, documentary funds and personal collections, documentation archives and indicators regarding books and reading.
 
The School Libraries Network will also be supported in several areas, including the updating of documentary funds, purchase of software for document management and creation of integrated system for the update, management and circulation of collections, starting next month.

Library management software will also be purchased this year for the schools without this system. The education department intends to move ahead with the school libraries network, supporting the establishment of Book Clubs.

Hence, the Regional Secretary for Education and Training pointed out that "PRL goes far beyond the recommendation of books to read: we actively stimulate the taste for reading by improving access conditions to books and reading."

At this press conference, Cláudia Cardoso delivered the 1st place prize certificate to the winner of the Regional Reading Plan Mascot.

Student André Barbosa Custódio from Marquês Jácome Correia Elementary School and Kindergarten was the winner of the contest either in the mascot design category or in the name choice category, "Papa Livros."