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Mr. Joe O’Brien, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, on the 9th June 2021, launched the Summer Stars Reading Adventure, which is a reading programme that will take place in library branches over the summer months. This programme is being supported by a range of online activities such as story time sessions, quizzes and a national short story competition taking place in public libraries throughout the country.
The National Summer Stars Reading Adventure is part of the Right to Read literacy initiative that encourages children to enjoy the fun and pleasure of reading and to participate in reading and a range of events and activities at their library.
The Minister said:
“The Summers Stars programme is a fantastic annual event which sees libraries delivering a reading programme and a variety of activities for the whole family, such as online story time sessions, quizzes and a national short story competition. The range of activities being provided also includes treasure hunts, magic shows, Harry Potter nights, craft workshops, Summer Book Bus and LEGO challenges.”
“Summer Stars is free to all children and I encourage parents and children to contact their local library and get involved.”
The programme is in its eighth year and the focus of the campaign is to support and co-ordinate children and families in literacy and reading development activities.
The initiative takes place in all 330 public libraries and is co-ordinated at national level by the Right to Read Steering Group, chaired by the Department of Rural and Community Development in collaboration with Libraries Development in the LGMA.
Colette Byrne, Chief Executive, Kilkenny County Council and Chair of the Libraries Development Committee, LGMA said:
“The Summer Stars programme is all about encouraging children to read for fun, which has so many important long term benefits. As well as improving literacy, reading can help develop creativity, wellbeing and self-esteem. Even though things are a little different because of COVID-19, we’re delighted libraries have been able to adapt and find creative ways to continue the Summer Stars programme so many children and families enjoy each year.”
Minister O’Brien launched the programme at the opening of the new North Clondalkin Library in County Dublin.
The Department of Rural and Community Development provided funding of €1 million under its Library Capital Programme towards the overall €6.2 million cost of the new library.
The Minister said:
“The public library strategy, ‘Our Public Libraries 2022’ seeks to establish a modern, progressive library service that connects and supports communities, and provides a go-to-place for a range of integrated public services.
“This wonderful facility in Clondalkin certainly delivers on that. It realises the potential of a modern, evolving library service and offers lifelong learning opportunities - supporting literacy, and provides access to a wide range of online resources and modern technology.”
The Minister also acknowledged the role of South Dublin County Council staff and commended the collaboration between local and central government that has brought North Clondalkin Library to this stage.
Summer Stars
Summer Stars is an annual initiative under the Right to Read Programme which promotes children’s literacy and reading development. Summer Stars takes place from mid-June to August and focuses on encouraging children to develop and continue the reading habit during the summer months. The full report on Summer Stars is included as an appendix to this document.
This initiative had to be delivered online in 2020 due to the COVID-19 restrictions and was adapted by setting up a branded Summer Stars section on the Borrowbox app with additional stock and new options for multiple simultaneous accesses. A story competition, author and staff library readings and quiz type activities were delivered online to encourage engagement in place of the usual reading awards programme.
165 quizzes and 58 scavenger hunts were arranged. 741 other online events took place ranging from daily story times for an entire month to once-off events. Despite the limited services which could be provided in library branches due to the COVID-19 restrictions, 523,548 books were issued. The online Summer Stars section on BorrowBox resulted in 19,018 eAudiobooks and 15,309 eBooks issues. The short story competition ‘An Unexpected Adventure’ resulted in 574 entries over three age categories ranging from age 6 to 18.
There was a total of 1,652 videos posted and 441,225 views during Summer Stars.
Libraries Capital Programme Update
The Libraries Capital Programme will invest some €29 million in 17 projects, and the My Open Library service between 2016 and 2022. To date, these seven projects on the programme have been completed.
There are currently four projects onsite - Edgeworthstown, Wicklow Town, Ennis, Portlaoise, with the projects in Edgeworthstown and Wicklow Town due to be completed before the end of the year.
The My Open Library initiative provides self-service access to libraries that is additional to normal staffed hours. Library members can access a MOL library from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year. The My Open Library service was available in 15 libraries prior to COVID-19 restrictions being introduced and will be available in a further 7 branches at least when restrictions are lifted.
In September 2020, the Department of Rural and Community Development announced funding of €3m to support a Small Scale Capital Works Programme in public libraries that will help upgrade and adapt library facilities. The Department funding will be matched by local authorities to the value of c. €1.1m giving a total investment of almost €4.1m. The Small Scale Capital Works programme will complement the existing Libraries Capital Programme.
Each Library Authority (30) was approved funding of €100,000, which enabled local authorities to conduct maintenance on 115 library branches nationwide with projects including roof renovations, replacement of doors and windows and installation of new flooring.