‘My First Library Card’ is launched in Blessington
A JOINT initiative to get young children to join their local libraries was launched on Friday in Blessington Library by Wicklow and Kildare County Library Services.
‘My First Library Card’ aims to encourage parents of all newborns and children aged 0-5 to join the library.
The card is free, all children can borrow up to 12 books at a time and libraries no longer charge fines. The initiative also sees the launch of an attractive and colourful library card, designed by award-winning author and illustrator Chris Judge.
The idea came about as a direct result of the national library programme ‘Right To Read’ campaign which is all about embedding the development of literacy into our communities through the local authority.
Libraries have taken a leading role in delivering the ‘Right To Read’ campaign because they have the experience and resources and are well placed to promote reading to all ages.
Public Health Nurses across Wicklow and Kildare will be distributing brochures to the parents of newborns at their first meeting and will also be encouraging parents of all children up to the age of five years to get a library card for their child.
‘The ultimate aim of this project is to have all children reading ready by the time they start in primary school,’ explained Cllr Irene Winters, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council.
‘Reading to a child is a powerful way to help children grow their vocabulary, language skills and imagination. It will help them develop life-long skills that will support their future learning and literacy,’ she said.
Cllr Winters said that research shows that a child that is read to every day will have heard up to 30,000 more words than a child who is not read to.
Cllr Winters said it was appropriate that the launch should be held in Blessington library as it has been the heartbeat of the community since it opened in 2006. There are 3,000-plus members and last year saw a new record of 73,000-plus items borrowed from Blessington library.