All children starting school in September 2022 can get a free Book Bag at their local Cork County Council library.

As part of the initiative, a ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ is available free for every child starting school in 2022 to help them to prepare for this big step. Children and their parents or guardians will be invited to visit their local branch or mobile library from April 19th to join the library and collect a Book Bag.

Each ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ contains: 

• Three books on starting school, making friends and being comfortable to be yourself 
• A story card on going to the library 
• A postcard the child can write or draw on and send to their new teacher, or bring to give to the teacher on their first day at school
• Their very own library card and special ‘My Little Library’ cardholder

Book bags are available in both Irish and English.

Inviting all children starting school this year to come and collect their Book Bag, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said, “I am delighted to see Cork County Council Library Service partaking in this initiative and look forward to seeing our newest library members collect their book bags and embark on a lifetime journey of reading and learning. Our Library Service offers storytimes, classes, events, and countless opportunities to fuel the imagination and explore one’s creativity right on our doorsteps. This initiative also presents an opportunity for parents to bring older or younger children along to join the library to borrow their own books.  I hope this will be the first visit of many for these young readers and their families, as they discover all that their local library has to offer.

Cork County Librarian, Emer O’Brien, welcomed the rollout of the initiative in Cork County saying, “Cork County Council Library Service is delighted to participate in the First 5 Little Library Initiative and welcome children who will begin their school journey in September 2022 to start their library membership adventure with us.   We would like to welcome all of the family to join the library and to regularly visit our branch and mobile libraries in Cork County to borrow books and participate in our services and events.”

Cork County Council Library Service is ready to greet the families and welcome new members of all ages. Invitations will be issued to all children starting school in September to call and collect their Little Library pack from their local Cork County Council Library branch or mobile library from April 19th, 2022.

The ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ initiative is a collaboration between libraries and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of the First 5 Strategy.

Invitations to collect a Book Bag will be issued via pre-schools and childminders in Cork County.  More Information on ‘My Little Library Book Bags’ is available from your local library or visit www.corkcoco.ie  

Notes

The funding for this initiative is comprised of Dormant Accounts Funding of €1.3 million from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Under the First 5 Little Library Initiative, more than 60,000; 4- and 5-year olds starting school in September 2022 will be offered an opportunity to collect a free book.  

The ‘My Little Library Book Bags’ initiative is part of the First 5 Strategy. First 5 (published in 2018) is a ten-year Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.  The first 5 in its implementation plan include over 150 actions and commits to major initiatives on family leave, children’s health services, parenting supports, child-friendly communities and Early Learning and Care settings.  The Strategy will enhance early childhood and make a significant contribution to the lives of young children, their families and society over the short, medium and longer-term. More information can be found on the First 5 website at:  www.first5.gov.ie/

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