550 children read over 5,000 books as part of The Big Read Summer Challenge

Carlow County Library

This is a reading initiative is aimed at boys and girls between 6 and 12 years old

As part of The Big Read Summer Reading challenge Carlow Library Service invited all 550 children who participated and their parents to a night of celebration in the Talbot Hotel.

This is a reading initiative aimed at boys and girls between 6 and 12 years old run by Carlow Library Service across its branch network Muinebheag, Borris, Tullow and Carlow Central Library.

At a minimum over 5,000 books were read over July and August across Carlow Library Service by the children who participated in this event. This is the third year of The Big Read Summer reading challenge and figures were up by % on last year.

This night was about saying a big thank you to all the children who participated in the challenge in all our branches. We hope that more and more children become involved a and use their local library as it is often the first introduction children have to 1 of the best free resources for their minds that they have on their doorstep their local library, comments County Librarian Josephine Coyne.

The night was a resounding success and Niall De Burca, storyteller and author was warmly welcomed by children and parents.

Niall de Búrca is one of Irelands finest traditional storytellers. He was raised in Galway and displayed a talent for narrative from a young age. At home he has featured in theatre, radio and at many festivals including Féile Earraai, the CS Lewis Festival, and The National Children's Book Festival. Abroad he has performed and held workshops in countries as diverse as Poland, Argentina, Italy and The Netherlands.

Carlow Library Service recognises the important role it plays in encouraging children to read for enjoyment and develop their reading skills especially over the summer months . Research has shown that childrens literacy levels drop during summer holidays and this reading challenge is a simple means of ensuring that children read for free and for enjoyment.

Carlow Library Service provides free membership for children and for more details of forthcoming events as part of National Childrens Bookweek see www.carlowlibraries.ie or phone library headquarters at (059) 9129705.