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🌟 International Bookmark Exchange Project 2025 🌟

📚 Join the Fun and Share the Joy of Books!

The Bookmark Exchange Project connects schools worldwide through the simple magic of handmade bookmarks. Students design creative bookmarks in any style or shape, inspired by this year’s theme, and share them with partner schools. Exchanges are by post during October or early November 2025 — or you may mutually agree on a feasible date and month with your Partner School.

Whatever timeline you choose, please keep your commitment so that every student’s effort is valued and respected.

🆕 Key Update for 2025 — Flexibility + Accountability

For 2025, schools have greater flexibility when deciding when to exchange bookmarks:

You may:

  • Exchange by post in October–early November 2025, OR
  • Mutually agree with your partner school on a different feasible date/month.

✅ This flexibility helps schools manage postal delays, school breaks, or local events

⚠️ But one thing remains unchanged: commitment matters. Once you set an exchange date with your partner, please honor it. Not fulfilling your commitment may affect eligibility for future ISLM projects.

🎨 Why Take Part?

  • 📖 Celebrate Books and Libraries — Encourage students to share their love for reading.
  • 🌍 Build Global Friendships — Connect with libraries and students around the world.
  • 🎨 Encourage Creativity — Let students express themselves through handmade bookmarks.
  • ✉️ Cultural Exchange — Share stories, traditions, and knowledge across borders.
If your school hasn’t joined us before, 2025 is the perfect year to begin!

  🌏 Cultural Exchange Opportunities

✉️ Communicate and Learn — Include friendly notes or cultural messages with bookmarks.

🔍 Explore and Research — Encourage students to learn about their partner’s community or traditions.

💡 Design Your Own Activities — From bookmark swaps to joint storytelling projects, there are endless ways to enrich the exchange.

    ✨ Project Details

    🎨 Get Creative — Bookmarks can be painted, collaged, recycled, digital-printed, or hand-drawn. Any size, shape, or material is welcome.

    🌍 Cultural Exchange — Share experiences beyond bookmarks: local history, traditions, or even virtual meet-ups with your partner school.

    📸 Document & Celebrate — Capture photos/screenshots and share them for the “What Others Are Doing for ISLM” page.

      📝 Step-by-Step Guide — How to Register

    Step 1 — Choose the correct age group

    Select the appropriate age category for your students (Under 12 or Over 12).

    Step 2 — Complete the online form

    1. Open the Registration Form for your age group.

    2. Fill in carefully:

    - School name & postal address

    - Contact person (teacher/librarian)

    - Email (school email preferred)

    - Age group & number of participating students

    - Preferred exchange month/date (October–November or mutually agreed)

    - Any notes (optional) and other details mentioned in the Form

    3. Review before submitting.

    Step 3 — Confirmation & Partner Assignment

    - ISLM Coordinators will assign a partner school.

    - Check Google Sheets to know about your Partner School.

    Step 4 — Connect with Your Partner

    Once your partner school is assigned:

    1. First, email the concerned school to introduce yourself, confirm participation, and ensure they are ready.

    2. Only after receiving their confirmation should you proceed with bookmark preparation and planning.

    3. Agree together on the exact exchange timeline (October–November or a mutually agreed date).

    ⚠️ In past years, there have been a few cases where partner schools did not fulfill their commitments, leaving students without bookmarks. This is why it’s essential to confirm by email before moving forward.

    Step 5 — Prepare, Exchange & Document

    Create bookmarks, mail them, and record the experience with photos/screenshots for ISLM.


     ✏️ Corrections & Data Issues

    If you filled in something incorrectly or spot an issue after submitting:

    1. Check the registration sheets provided.

    - Find your school’s entry and note your Line Number.

    2. Email the correct ISLM Bookmark Exchange Coordinator.

    - If you entered the wrong data → include your Line Number.

    - If you have issues with partner assignment → include your Line Number and your Partner School’s Line Number.

    3. The Coordinator will help correct or resolve your issue.

    ⚠️ Always include your line number(s) in the subject/body of your email.


      📧  Sample Emails

    1. Offline Registration (if form not working)

    Subject: ISLM Bookmark Exchange 2025 — Offline Registration (Age Group: ___)

    Body:

    Hello [Coordinator’s Name],

    We would like to register for the ISLM Bookmark Exchange Project 2025.

    - School name:

    - Contact person & role:

    - Contact email:

    - Age group:

    - Number of participating students:

    - Postal address for incoming mail:

    - Preferred exchange window (Oct–Nov 2025 or mutually agreed):

    - Notes (if any):


    Kindly confirm our registration. Thank you!


    Warm regards,

    [Your name / role / school]
    ______________________________________________________________________________________________

    2. Correction / Partner Issue

    Subject: ISLM Bookmark Exchange 2025 — Correction Needed (Line Number: ___)

    Body:

    Hello [Coordinator’s Name],

    I would like to request a correction for my registration entry.

    - Line Number: ___

    - Issue: (e.g., wrong email / school name correction / etc.)

    If related to a partner assignment:

    - My Line Number: ___

    - Partner School Line Number: ___

    - Issue: (e.g., incorrect match / need update)


    Thank you for your assistance.

    Best regards,

    [Your name / role / school]


      ‍ 👩‍🏫 ISLM INTERNATIONAL BOOKMARK EXCHANGE PROJECT COORDINATORS for 2025

    Under 12

    Over 12

    📬 General Queries:

    Ramandeep, Chairperson ISLM — letscelebrateislm@gmail.com


      📋 Registration Links

      Under 12

      12 and Above


      📅 Important Dates

      🗓️ Registration Deadline: October 26, 2025

      📬 Exchange Method: By post (Oct–Nov 2025) OR by mutually agreed date with your partner school.

      ⚠️ Reminder: Once you commit, please follow through.


      🌐 Stay Connected

      IASL has created a listserv specifically for those with interest in ISLM. Please use the following link to sign up for the listserv in order to receive the latest happenings about ISLM. Thank you for supporting IASL & participating in ISLM.

      👉Sign up here: https://www.freelists.org/list/iaslisl

      📌Disclaimer

      ISLM and IASL are not responsible for shipping or customs expenses. Please budget for possible customs fees before registering. In past years, some exchanges faced delays due to unplanned expenses.

      ✨ Let’s make the Bookmark Exchange Project 2025 creative, joyful, and unforgettable — celebrating books, creativity, and friendships across the globe!

      📚 Message from the ISLM Chairperson

      Dear Librarians, Teachers, and Coordinators,

      The International Bookmark Exchange Project is one of the most cherished traditions of ISLM, and I am delighted to see it grow stronger each year. This initiative is not just about exchanging bookmarks; it is about celebrating reading, fostering cultural understanding, and creating meaningful global connections among our students.

      Every bookmark made by a child carries with it a story, an idea, and a reflection of their unique world. When exchanged, it becomes a bridge — connecting classrooms, libraries, and young readers across continents. The creativity and sincerity that schools bring to this project truly embody the spirit of international collaboration.

      I encourage you to engage your students fully, honor your commitments, and make this project a memorable learning journey. Together, we can continue to nurture a love for reading, creativity, and friendship through the power of school libraries.

      With warm regards,

      Raman Deep

      Chairperson, International School Library Month (ISLM)




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