Explore the Pleasures of Reading

Clare Champion, Friday, 2nd March 2007

Clare County Library is encouraging children to explore the pleasures of reading books by participating in World Book Day 2007 on Thursday, March 1 next. Library branches all over Clare will be taking part in the annual celebration, which will include a readathon, art workshops, storytelling and a Design a Book Cover competition.

World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day and International Day of the Book, has been designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. First held in Ireland in 1998, World Book Day has become firmly established as the biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. Since 2002, in the United Kingdom and Ireland, World Book Day has been held on the first Thursday in March.

According to Carrie Stafford, Executive Librarian with Clare County Library, "The main aim of World Book Day is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. In County Clare, we have created a partnership of libraries, publishers, authors and interested parties who work together to promote books and reading for the personal enrichment and enjoyment of all".

A number of countywide events have been organised by Clare County Library to celebrate World Book Day 2007. A readathon will be held at branches in Ennis, Ennistymon, Kildysart, Kilkee, Killaloe, Kilrush, Lisdoonvarna, Miltown Malbay, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Tulla. Schools and members of the public are invited to undertake short readings from books of their choice throughout the day in the various library branches. Contributions may be made, if desired, to Book Aid International, which provides books for children in sub-Saharan Africa and Palestine.

Commenting on the readathon, Ms. Stafford said, "Every year, participating children and members of the public rise to the challenge of reading more than they would usually, and often different types of texts by authors they were not familiar with, all with the aim of enhancing their reading skills. Pupils who are not sponsored still join in with real enthusiasm and commitment to their reading, so there is plenty to be gained all round. Book your place at this year's readathon by contacting your local library".

Elsewhere around the county, Sean Lemass Library in Shannon is hosting a competition for under 18s to design the cover for the new Harry Potter title, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The closing date for receipt of entries was February 27 and the winners will be announced on World Book Day. Meanwhile, artist Pat Ryan will speak about his work and explore the relationship between photography and painting in Shannon Library between 11.00am and 12.30pm on Thursday, March 1. Other events on the day include storytime for three to six year olds at 3.30pm in Newmarket-on-Fergus Library and a Charlotte's Web themed art session will be run in Sixmilebridge Library from 4.00pm.

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