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Wicklow plays its part in new campaign to get Ireland reading during Covid

Wicklow County Council Library Service has organised a number of online events to celebrate the Ireland Reads campaign.

Ireland Reads is a new campaign to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Thursday, February 25th.

Wicklow and libraries around the country have teamed up with publishers, booksellers, authors and others for the campaign, which is part of the government’s “Keep Well” initiative 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” (Thursday, February 25th). A new website www.irelandreads.ie has been set up where people can pledge to read on the day and see how much time has been pledged by the Irish public so far.

The website also offers book recommendations suited to a person’s interests and the time they have available. There are more than 800 recommendations from librarians all around the country, including some Wicklow County Council library staff.

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 – a couch to 5k for books!

While libraries are not currently open for browsing or borrowing due to COVID-19 restrictions, library members can use the library Borrowbox service online and choose from more than 44,000 eBooks and 33,000 eAudiobooks.

On Tuesday, 12th February,  people can join best-selling author and Wicklow resident Sam Blake  in conversation with Ballywaltrim librarian, David Forde. Online Story and Rhyme times for toddlers from Baltinglass’s Katie Wu of Twinkle Kids and other reading activities will be happening throughout February.

Wicklow County Council is  especially delighted that Minister Simon Harris TD, along with Councillors Mags Creane, Jodie Neary, Avril Cronin and Grace McManus, are to be  Wicklow Ambassadors for the campaign and welcome their contributions and support.

“Wicklow library staff have kept active over the past year, promoting the online library services, especially the access to e-books and downloadable audio books. We are looking forward to welcoming the public back to our libraries later in the year, but until then, take the time to see what we have to offer online”, said Wicklow County Council Chief Executive, Mr Frank Curran.

Find out about all that’s happening for Ireland Reads, get book recommendations and take the pledge to read on Thursday, February 25th at www.irelandreads.ie.