Over 3,000 children took part in last year’s Summer Stars programme in Wicklow County Libraries – and it is hoped that number will increase this year.
The Summer Stars programme – which encourages children to continue reading during the long summer holidays – is up-and-running in all of the county’s libraries.
This is the third year of Summer Stars which will culminate with participating children being presented with a certificate in September.
Access to books and reading for pleasure is well known to have many important long-term benefits. Children who develop an interest in reading have been found to have greater self-esteem and well-being, greater creativity, better social and health outcomes, and an overall better quality of life as they get older.
Summer Stars provides the whole family with an opportunity to explore the full range of children’s library services, including story time sessions, book clubs, children’s events, access to talking books and games, workshops, computers and internet access, and of course children’s books for all ages.
Wicklow had one of the highest participation rates in the initiative – which is co-ordinated by the Local Government Management Agency – in 2017 with just over 3,000 taking part. Only Cork and Galway were ahead of Wicklow.
Mr Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, believes Wicklow libraries can surpass the 2017 figure, noting: “With the school holidays now underway, the summer months provide an ideal opportunity for children to take time to find books they really enjoy and experience reading as an activity which is fun and a source of entertainment. In particular, I like the non-competitive nature, where very child who reads even one book is regarded as having completed the programme”.
Call into your local library and get involved in Summer Stars 2018. Wicklow County Council operates 13 libraries along with the Mobile library service. Check out your nearest library onwww.wicklow.ie
