All children starting school in September 2023 throughout County Wicklow can get a free Book Bag at their local library.
The ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ initiative is a partnership between libraries and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of the First 5 Strategy.
As part of the initiative, a ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ is available free for every child starting school in 2023 to help them to prepare for this big step. Children and their parents or guardians can collect the bags at any library throughout Wicklow.
Each My Little Library Book Bag contains:
- Three books on starting school, making friends and being comfortable being 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
Children due to attend a Gaelscoil will receive a bag with three Irish Books.
Inviting all children starting school this year to come and collect their Book Bag, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Tommy Annesley, said: “Wicklow County Council Library Service is thrilled to be part of the My First 5, My Little Library initiative, seeing it as a vital step towards a love for reading and a passion for books.”
Librarians are keenly aware of the benefits that reading brings to children and library staff across all 13 of Wicklow’s libraries and look forward to welcoming lots of new children in the coming months to collect their little bag of books and get their first library cards.
Chief Executive, Emer O’Gorman, said: “Stories are so vital for children, helping them through so many stages in their lives, such as the excitement of starting school. Being involved in this initiative is very special for our library staff – to see each and every child receiving the gift of brand-new picture books and to have the chance to introduce these children to the entire library has to offer is a massive opportunity for libraries and for families”.
Funding for this initiative is comprised of Dormant Accounts Funding from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
This is a truly exciting and inclusive programme as more than 2,000 four and five-year-olds across the county starting school in September 2023 will be gifted a free bag of beautifully illustrated picture books.