From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, has announced that, so far this summer, half of all children preparing to start primary school this September have picked up a First 5 My Little Library Book Bag from their local library, with more than 13,000 four and five year olds joining the library for the first time in the process.
Under the First 5 My Little Library Initiative – a collaboration between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Local Government Management Agency – every child starting primary school this September is invited to collect a free book bag from their local library full of storybooks and resources to support with the transition to primary school. The book bag also includes a My Little Library card wallet and at collection, children and their families are invited to join their local library. Book bags are available in Irish and English.
This initiative is part of a wider government drive towards fostering a love of books and stories among young children and on connecting those children, their families and carers to the network of libraries nationwide.
Welcoming the success of the initiative so far, Minister O’Gorman said:
“It's wonderful to learn that there are 13,000 new members of the library because of the First 5 My Little Library Initiative. As well as connecting children to their local library, this initiative is about supporting children with the transition to primary school. So far, half of all children starting school in September have benefitted. Libraries throughout the country have now restocked and the First 5 My Little Library Book Bag will be available throughout the summer for other children preparing for the important milestone this September."
Also welcoming the progress on the initiative, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, said:
“As Minister with responsibility for public libraries, I am delighted to hear of the progress being made under this initiative. Libraries offer access to new worlds of creativity, imagination and fun. This roll-out of the First 5 My Little Library Initiative through the 330 public libraries around the country will open up these worlds to every family with a child starting school. I am delighted to welcome the 13,000 additional library members to a lifetime of free access to stories and books."
Catherine Elliott, Monaghan County Librarian and Chair of the Public Library National Strategic Programmes Committee said:
“Libraries have loved welcoming thousands of 4- and 5-years olds to collect their free My Little Library Book Bags over the last few months. We are delighted that so many children have joined the library for the first time and are coming back regularly to refill their bags with borrowed books and take part in library activities.
“Now that the summer holidays are here, we want to encourage any parent who has not yet done so to come in and collect their child’s free book bag. While you’re in the library make sure to find out about all the events and activities we have going on this summer that will keep the kids entertained, develop their imagination, creativity and literacy and help get them all set for school in September.”
This First 5 Little Library Initiative, which is funded under Dormant Accounts Funding, will continue throughout the summer. Further details are available on gov.ie/letsgetready.