The Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu has today launched ‘Join Up, Join In’, an initiative to invite 4th class children across the city to join their local library.
Over the next few weeks every 4th class child in every school in Dublin city will receive a library bag, a book, a special brochure and a membership form.
“It’s so important to get our children enjoying reading from an early age and libraries are such a great resource,” said the Lord Mayor. “If you develop a love of books when you’re a child it’s something that stays with you for your entire life. Reading can do wonders for your imagination and of course, for your education. I love reading books with my daughter Alex. She’s only 3 years old but it’s a great way to do some mother-daughter bonding!”
In total 6,604 bags will be delivered to 186 4th classes across the city in the next few weeks.
In 2019, former Lord Mayor Paul McAuliffe initiated a project to encourage children to join their library. The project was ready to kick off when Covid-19 interrupted but is now back on track with new Lord Mayor, Hazel Chu.
The libraries section of Dublin City Council chose 4th class pupils as the best group to start with. At ages 9 and 10 children begin to make personal choices in what they want to read, and it is a wonderful age to develop personal interests and stretch the imagination.
“I am very proud to support the Lord Mayor’s Initiative by inviting all 4th class children in Dublin City join their local library,” said City Librarian, Mairead Owens. “Our branch libraries provide fun spaces to enjoy, imagine and explore. In the normal run of things, libraries welcome all children to explore the wonders of the imagination and creativity. Children can still join online and enjoy eBooks, comics, story times and activities. So I encourage all the 4th classes of 2020 to join now at www.dublincitylibraries.ie. We look forward to welcoming all children back to the libraries when advised by Government”
Eimear Corcoran of Cabra Library said ‘Boots is going on another adventure across Dublin City. We decided to choose 4th class pupils as we think kids aged 9 and 10 really know what books they love. We were ready to go, when unfortunately, Covid 19 came along. Now in 2020 the Lord Mayor Hazel Chu and Dublin City Librarian Mairead Owens want to welcome this year’s 4th class pupils to our libraries. We really look forward to welcoming you all back here soon!’
The English book chosen is ‘Boot’ by Shane Hegarty, the first in a series of big adventures for a small robot. Boot’s fast and funny adventures are brought to life by wonderful illustrations by Ben Mantle.
For Gaelscoilleanna,‘An Eala Ógra agus scéalta eile ón India’ has been chosen: Stories from India retold by Gabriel Rosenstock and complemented by Brian Fitzgerald’s fantastic illustrations.
This fantastic initiative is designed to spark a love of reading in the younger generation. In a time more consumed by screens than ever, it’s a wonderful starting point towards making reading popular again. By giving children access to a library, you are giving them access to a choice – something essential in creating a genuine and voracious interest in books. By allowing them to pick subjects and characters that they are interested in, the book’s hopes of competing with a tablet grow that much bigger.
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