THE roll out of the nationwide First 5 Little Library initiative is happening across Donegal.
It aims to support the development of little libraries in early learning and care settings and encourage a love of books and reading among our youngest children.
All early learning and care centres and TUSLA registered child-minders in Donegal will be given free book bags and resources such as social story cards, an early years literacy booklet and information on Donegal County Council Library services and membership.
The Little Library also includes Babbling Babies a booklet developed by Lifestart Services, Donegal Library Service and HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Service.
There’s an opportunity for each early learning and care centre and child minder to sign up for library membership when collecting their First 5 Little Library in their local library.
The aim is to encourage ongoing collaboration between the early learning and care services and libraries and support families in establishing or developing the practice of reading.
Kim from Central Library handing over a Little Library Bag to Rosie Piper from House of Fun
Welcoming the initiative, Maureen Kerr Senior Executive Librarian and Right to Read coordinator said: “Donegal County Library Service is proud to roll out the First 5 Little Library to early learning and care providers in Donegal.
“The Right to Read programme has been growing from strength to strength in recent years and offers many events and resources for children, families and education providers.
“Reading from an early age encourages the development of concentration, logic and speech. We are particularly delighted that our Babbling Babies booklet, developed with CYPSC partners here in Donegal, will be distributed nationwide as part of the initiative.
“The library is a fantastic resource to everyone both personally and professionally, particularly education providers.
“Membership of your local library is absolutely free, offers a great selection of books and much more. First 5 Little Library book bags will also be made available to families for loan from their local library so that parents and guardians can explore the resources with their little ones at home.”
First 5 Little Library is a nationwide collaboration between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). For more information visitwww.donegallibrary.ie, on Facebook at @DonegalCountyLibrary or Twitter at @Donegallibrary.