Right to Read is a national programme to promote literacy and reading development for people of all ages and backgrounds. Launched in 2013, it currently includes four national programmes designed to promote children's reading and literacy.
In April, we celebrate the importance of stories and storytelling with extra storytimes and events in our library branches. Find out more about what's on here.
Summer Stars happens every summer from June until the end of August. Children are encouraged to sign up to be a Summer Star, and keep up their reading over the summer. They can set their own reading goals, and all types of books count, including audiobooks and graphic novels. Children get a bag and activity book when they sign up, and at the end of the summer when they return their reading card they will get a certificate and medal.
Book It! Is a Children’s Book Festival which takes place each October throughout Galway Public Libraries with the support of the Galway County Arts Office and the Galway City Arts Office. The festival is a celebration of books and reading and is a chance to meet new and favourite authors.
We know how positive the impact books and reading is for the mental wellbeing of our young people. With this in mind, Book It! showcases some of our favourite authors, illustrators and storytellers through a range of events in libraries and schools.
Family Time At Your Library happens in December, and families are encouraged to come to the library and spend time together, whether it's at storytime, playing board games or simply choosing books to read together.
Little Library Bags
To help children to navigate starting school, libraries have a special bag with books and resources just for them that can be collected at any library.
Children and their parents or guardians can collect the bags at any library throughout the Country from 9th of May 2025.
Book bags are available in both Irish and English.
Libraries can’t wait to welcome all the 4, 5 and 6 year old children in to collect their book bags and begin their library membership journey.
We hope that once they visit the library to pick up their book bag, our new library members and their families will come back regularly to keep their bag filled up with borrowed books and to take part in story-times, classes and all the other events we have to offer at the library.
Find out more about the national initiative here.
