Fostering a lifelong love of reading in Offaly

The First 5 Little Library Bag Initiative was launched by Offaly Libraries on Thursday May 27 at Kilcormac Library where library staff were joined by children from Kilcormac Community Childcare and Áine Brummell, Offaly County Childcare Committee to celebrate this wonderful programme.

Building on the work of the Right the Read programme which promotes literacy and reading for all ages and backgrounds, this is a collaborative project between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The project aims to support development of ‘little libraries’ in early learning and care settings and encourage a love of books and reading amongst our youngest children.

Under this initiative, early learning and care providers have been invited to collect a free book bag along with other resources such as social story cards, an early years literacy booklet and information on Offaly Library services and membership from their local Offaly library branch.

The ‘First 5 Little Library Bag’ will encourage membership and use of the library network by early learning and care services and among young children and their families. The selected collection of books will also be held in libraries countywide to support preschool services and families in use of this resource.

Eimear McGinn, Offaly County Librarian said: “This is a wonderful initiative encouraging ongoing collaboration between Offaly libraries and Offaly’s early learning and care services. Library staff are delighted to support families in establishing the practice of reading and fostering a lifelong love of reading as a key focus of our Right to Read programme."