As children chase bubbles through the library in Saintfield, Patricia Curran, area manager from Libraries NI, joyfully declares, “The children are the future of libraries.”
It’s Book Week in Northern Ireland, an annual event now approaching its tenth year, co-hosted by BBC NI and Libraries NI.
The week-long celebration aims to draw parents and children alike to local libraries, showcasing their importance in fostering a love of reading.
“We really encourage children of all ages to come in,” says Curran. “It’s great where the libraries aren’t just about books; there are fun activities also for children to participate in.”
For Carol Murphy, who brought her four grandchildren to the library, the experience is a welcome change from the usual screen time.
“It’s a lovely atmosphere, and it’s just perfect. They are not on phones, and they’re not on iPads, so it’s a real bonus,” she says.
She adds that her grandchildren are all avid book readers, a rarity these days, and considers herself “very, very fortunate.”
Vicky Fedak, another parent attending the event, sees the library as a valuable community hub. “We come to the ‘Rhythm and Rhyme’ classes here.
It’s just getting them into books early; it’s really good for their development and their speaking and all kinds of skills.”
While Book Week highlights activities for children, Ms. Curran is quick to remind everyone that libraries are for all ages.
“There’s something in your local library for everybody,” she explains, listing activities such as ‘Knit and Natter,’ ‘Tea and Newspapers,’ jigsaw clubs, and mindful coloring. Libraries also provide a welcoming space for individuals to form new friendships or simply find a quiet moment.
One of the standout reads for Book Week is Long Island by renowned Irish author Colm Tóibín.
Curran believes the book’s thought-provoking themes make it a great choice for readers of all ages to engage with. “We just thought there were so many provoking topics in this book that it was good, and everybody could get involved within the story for it.”
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