Campaign to get Roscommon reading returns
Pledge to read and find the perfect book for you at www.Irelandreads.ie
Libraries throughout County Roscommon are taking part in Ireland Reads a campaign to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Friday, February 25th.
Irish libraries have teamed up with publishers, booksellers, authors and others for the campaign, which is part of the government’s Healthy Ireland programme and aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment.
The campaign is asking everyone to ‘squeeze in a read’ on Ireland Reads Day, Friday, February 25th.
IrelandReads.ie
The pledge to read can be made at www.irelandreads.ie where you can also see how much time has been pledged by the Irish public so far and sign up for reading reminders.
The website also offers book recommendations suited to a person’s interests and the time they have available. There are more than 1,500 recommendations from librarians all around the country for all interests and reading levels.
A website user can simply enter their favourite type of book and how long they would like to read each day and the website will offer the perfect book suggestion and work out how long it will take to complete – so you can set yourself a challenge if you’re finding it hard to get back to reading.
Events
Campaign partners and libraries all over the country will be running ‘Ireland Reads’ initiatives and events throughout February in the build up to Friday, February 25th.
As part of the Little Libraries initiative, all Early Learning and Care (ELC) Settings will be invited to an Ireland Reads event in collaboration with Roscommon Library Services and Roscommon County Childcare Committee CLG.
A number of our talented staff, who are well versed as storytellers, will be visiting some ELC’s the week leading up to this national reading day. They will tell a short story to your pre-schoolers. Please contact mmcintyre@roscommoncoco.ie or info@roscommonchildcare.ie if you would like to arrange a visit from our staff.
On February 25th 10.30 am Roscommon Library’s Facebook page will premier an online storytime and art workshop with author/illustrator Jennifer Farley. Jennifer will read from her picture book “Scouts Best Day Ever” and encourage viewers to draw Scout the dog and another cute hairy puppy. In case you miss the premier on the day, you still can watch it as you will find the link to it on the Roscommon Childcare Committee newsletter.
If you miss the premier on the day, you still can watch it and you will find the link to it on the Roscommon County Childcare Committee CLG newsletter.
We will have two events for adults on February 25th.
Poetry Workshop with Gerry Boland 10.30am – 12.00pm on February 25th please note that this is an online event and booking is essential – spaces are limited, contact roslib@roscommoncoco.ie to book.
Join Gerry for this poetry workshop where several poems will be read and analysed and new poems will be written. Gerry will share some of his writing experience and will offer useful tips on how to get the best out of your writing.
Gerry Boland is a Dublin-born author and poet. He writes for adults and for children and has published nine books to date, his latest being The Far Side of Happiness, a collection of short stories from Arlen House in 2018. He lives in rural north Roscommon.
Demystifying Poetry with Jessica Traynor 2.00pm – 3.00pm on February 25th please note that this is an online event and booking is essential – spaces are limited, contact roslib@roscommoncoco.ie to book.
Do you like poetry but don’t know where to begin when it comes to discovering new voices? Join award-winning poet and creative writing teacher Jessica Traynor as she explores contemporary poetry in its many guises and forms, and discovers new work that speaks to us. Jessica will read from her own work and the work of contemporary voices from Ireland and abroad whose work will engage and enthral. This workshop is suited to anyone who has an interest in poetry, and who would like to expand their reading of poetry in a fun and supportive way.
A number of well-known campaign ambassadors are on board to help promote the campaign, including Marian Keyes, Joe Duffy, Colm Tóibín, Rick O’Shea, Liz Nugent and more. You can find out what reading means to them and why they support the campaign at www.irelandreads.ie.
Find out about all that’s happening for Ireland Reads, get book recommendations and take the pledge to read on Friday, February 25th at www.irelandreads.ie or visit Roscommon, Boyle and Castlerea Libraries for more information on what’s happening local to you.
Contact Meliosa McIntyre at mmcintyre@roscommoncoco.ie for further details
Leave a Reply