The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, launched this year’s Summer Reading Programme at Stillorgan Library in Dublin today (Wednesday 11th July).
The Summer Reading Programme runs in public libraries every July and August and is a hugely popular and successful reading event for children of all ages and abilities.
It is designed to encourage children to read six or more books over the summer. Children get to pick their own books, keep a record of their progress and those who meet the challenge receive a certificate at the end of the summer.
Launching the Programme, Minister Quinn said, “Literacy is an issue that is very close to my heart and is a priority of this Government. Last year I launched the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy aimed at ensuring that every child leaves school having mastered key literacy and numeracy skills. Ensuring all our young people can read, write and do basic maths is one of the greatest contributions that we can make towards achieving equality and social justice in our country.”
“The Summer Reading Programme fits very well with the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy and is a simple, fun and free way of encouraging children to read during the summer break.”
The Summer Reading Programme aims to inspire children to read during the long summer break when their reading skills can decline without the regular reading activity at school. It is primarily targeted at children in primary school but local libraries and mobile libraries are encouraging children and young adults of all ages and abilities to join.
Last year thousands of children joined the programme and thousands more books were borrowed from libraries as a result. Hundreds of libraries and mobile libraries right across the country are involved in the programme this year, so it’s hoped even more will join in.
It is a simple, fun activity that can fitted in around family holidays, camps etc. Parents can seek advice from library staff about the types of books that are available, especially for emergent and ‘going solo’ readers.
It also gives families an opportunity to see what other events and facilities are available for their families in their local library, such as Internet access, storytime, bookclubs and many other events.
“This programme also gives Mam, Dad, Nana or Granddad a few minutes to read the newspaper, surf the internet or pick a summer book for themselves at the library,” concluded Minister Quinn. “Happy Reading!”