Sligo Library Service launched its ‘Right To Read’ Programme on Monday November 13th with a group of children and staff from Cranmore Resource House.
Right To Read Initiative
Sligo Library Launch Right To Read Initiative
Children attending the 'Right to Read' launch along with Writer and Illustrator Wayne O’Connor, Cathaoirleach Councillor Seamus Kilgannon and Councillors Marie Casserly, Rosaleen O’Grady, Chris MacManus, Mayor Hubert Keaney, and Library staff Pauline Brennan and Patricia Keane
The children were invited to Sligo Central Library to enjoy some storytelling and to receive their very first library membership card, a card which has been specially designed to mark the initiative. The launch was attended by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Seamus Kilgannon and elected Members, Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes, and staff of County Sligo Library Service.
A ‘Right to Read’ Programme has been activated in each local authority in the country. The initiative, which has come from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DoHPCLG), in conjunction with Libraries Development in the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) aims to deliver more systematic literacy support at local level. This will involve local authority library staff, in partnership with local agencies in the community working to support literacy and reading development.
The Cathaoirleach commended the staff involved in the programme
‘This is an excellent initiative which I expect will be of great benefit to children in all our communities. It places the focus on the importance of reading and having access to books from an early age. Library membership is free and you are never too young to join the library, it’s all about making reading a fun activity.’
Sligo Right To Read Co-ordinator and Senior Executive Librarian at Sligo Library Service, Ms. Pauline Brennan, is currently working in collaboration with a number of local agencies to arrange library visits for crèches, playgroups and pre-schools around the county.
'This is a really exciting programme. All of the libraries in Sligo have a wide range of books suitable for young babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and those children of a school going age and we want to encourage parents to join their children in the library from a young age so that they have the opportunity to enjoy handling books and experiencing the wonderful world of pictures and illustrations'.
If you would like to arrange a visit for a group of children or indeed for your own children or would like more information on this initiative, please contact Pauline on 071 911 1859.