PURPOSE: The World Book and Copyright Day has been held annually on April 23rd since 1995 to promote the enjoyment of books and reading. Celebrations take place all over the world to recognize the scope of books - a link between the past and the future, a bridge between generations and across cultures. Today; It is critical to take the time to read on your own or with your children. The day is also a time to celebrate the importance of Reading, foster children's growth as readers, and promote a lifelong love of Literature and integration into the world of work.
FORUM: “Exploring the world: One page turn at a time.” World Book and Copyright Day 2025. Books have the power to transport us to new worlds, broaden our horizons, and promote open and inclusive societies. For this occasion let’s highlight the Copyright and Related Rights of authors. The UNESCO Regional offices invite students, teachers, and readers from around the world, as well as the whole book industry and library services, to testify and express their love for reading. Activities will include readings of books and plays; the distribution of bookmarks; the announcement of the winners of literary competitions. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #reading, #WorldBookDay, #CopyrightDay,#WorldBookCapitalCity #23april, #WorldBookandCopyrightDay.
EVENTS: At UNESCO Headquarters; On april 23rd, to mark the World Book and Copyright Day 2025; A symposium will be hold. The UNESCO World Book Capital for 2025 is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The designation was announced by the UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay. The year of celebrations will start on April 23rd, on World Book and Copyright Day 2025 with the opening of the World Book Capital. The city will host the Unesco "World Book Capital" label, awarded each year to a city that is committed to promoting books and reading in all its forms. UNESCO and the World Book Capital Advisory Committee commended Rio de Janeiro’s demonstration of the importance of its literary heritage alongside a clearly defined vision and action plan to promote literature, sustainable publishing and reading among young people tapping into digital technologies. This is the first time that a Portuguese-speaking city has been designated World Book Capital. In line with priorities expressed in the World Book Capital Charter, Rio de Janeiro conceives its project as having the ability to affect social change – through, for example, literacy, education and poverty eradication – and bring sustainable economic benefit linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Register to Participate!
ACTIVITIES: Join the community of readers for the World Book Day bookfaceChallenge! In such circumstances, we invite students, teachers, readers from around the world as well as the book industry and library services to testify and express their love for reading by participating to this challenge. Register to participate to the event.
WEBINARS: The right technology can remove barriers to knowledge. For example the Technology from Sage is a curated suite of library technologies that advance teaching, learning and research - from managing reading lists to discovering online resources and reference management. Request a demo!
Librarian Futures Part I: Reading and authoring
Give library patrons an easy and intuitive way to discover, read, annotate, write and share research with an award-winning online reference management tool. With intuitive and customizable features that enable collaboration, Sciwheel is where research comes together.
Librarian Futures Part II: The Knowledge Gap Between Librarians and Students
Read the new report in our Librarian Futures series that shares research findings about contrasting librarian and student perspectives on the undergraduate workflow.
Librarian Futures Part III: The Librarian Skills Landscape
Read the latest report in our Librarian Futures series which explores insights from over 2,000 academic library professionals on actionable strategies for skills and career development.
STATEMENTS: ‘‘After all, behind every book there is an entire chain of know-how and skills which has led to its creation. On this day, UNESCO invites you not only to celebrate reading and culture, but also to make a commitment to their support. ‘‘ Read the message UNESCO Director-General, on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day 2025, April 23rd in French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.
PUBLICATION: UNESCO's World Book Policy and its Impacts. In order to promote the pleasure of books and reading, UNESCO is organizing a collection of books for the benefit of Libraries Without Borders (LWB), an NGO which helps to promotes access for vulnerable populations to education, culture and information. Learn more about the Books for All: a Programme of Action.
PODCASTS: On this occasion, UNESCO and the international organizations representing the three major sectors of the book industry - publishers, booksellers and libraries, select the World Book Capital for a year to maintain, through its own initiatives, the impetus of the Day’s celebrations. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: “Promote the pleasure of reading and Find an effective way of skill up the next generation. “ Each year a poster is designed and distributed around the world. It features images designed to encourage people, particularly children, to read books and appreciate literature.
KID CORNERS: Want to read a book!, Get to your district library, ask the librarian, which activities are organized to celebrate the WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY. Recommended reading lists with the best book titles to optimize your K-12 school's digital library collection.
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
World Book and Copyright Day celebrates ‘fundamental importance’ of literature; It is an occasion to pay a worldwide tribute to books and authors and to encourage people to discover the pleasure of reading. In some years, the UNESCO Prize for Children's and Young People's Literature in the Service of Tolerance is awarded. We hoped that the Day will increase people's understanding of and adherence to copyright laws and other measures to protect intellectual copyright. Mass media institutions of the press, radio and television are essential elements in mobilizing public involvement in undertakings for books. The media can provide reports on local and national initiatives and give increased attention to book reviews, they can arrange discussions programme involving authors, critics and readers to help focus attention on the latest important literary events. Adaptation of books for television, cinema and radio can also be an excellent means of awakening interest. The periodical and specialized press can conduct as well as publicize studies of reading habits. Special notice can be given by the media to children's literature and the reaction of the young to the printed word.
ACTIONS
A range of activities to promote the cultural aspects of books are held all over the world. Many of these emphasize international cooperation or friendships between countries.
Some actions help to promote the understanding of laws on copyright and the protection of authors' intellectual property. Librarians desmonstrate how the Use modern technologies help to promote reading among young people, Book publishers also show to participants how to transform books into digital games, thus ensuring access to books for all.
The SDG Book Club is expanding and we are excited to see SDG reading lists for children from around the world. In addition to the SDG Book Club in the UN’s six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) there are now chapters in other languages.
Visit the SDG Book Club Chapters listed below : AFRICA, BRAZIL, GERMANY, INDONESIA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, PORTUGAL.
PARTNERS
The World Book and Copyright Day is hosted by the UNESCO Regional Offices; The International Publisher Association (IPA); The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), the World Intellectual Property Organizations (WIPO).
With the collaboration of the National Book Development Council of Singapore (NBDCS), the London Book Fair, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF), the American Library Association (ALA), the National Library of Australia, the National Library of New Zealand (Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa), the Russian Book Union, the Lesotho Book Development Council, and the Ghana Book Development Council (GBDC).
With the participation of the Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Academicians, Librarians, Publishers, authors and writers.