Ready, Steady, Read!

Clare County Library joins Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Libraries and An Garda Síochana in transatlantic ‘Reading Challenge’

A live video link-up between Clare County Library and libraries in Pictou and Cumberland Counties, Nova Scotia, Canada took place on the 15th of January 2007 in deValera Library, Ennis to launch the first ever transatlantic reading challenge among schoolchildren.

Clare County Library has linked up with An Garda Síochana, Canadian Libraries, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and 21 of the county’s National Schools to promote reading among children.

The transatlantic literacy programme, entitled ‘The Reading Challenge’, aims to improve the reading skills of participating children and to teach them to work together towards a common goal by competing against other schools in a friendly and positive way. Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Flan Garvey officially launched the project. Children and teachers from participating schools along with members of An Garda Síochána were present at the launch.

‘The Reading Challenge’ forms part of the ‘Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program’, which was established ten years ago in northern New Brunswick by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The police act as the ‘bridge’ between the community and the library, and in return the library develops programs and activities that directly impact literacy amongst children. Currently, Adopt-a-Library involves 91 RCMP and policing agencies from across Canada, paired with 97 libraries. Clare County Library is the first library service outside of Canada to take part in the ‘Adopt-a-Library Literacy Program.’

Sergeant John Staunton and seven members of the Clare Garda Division are working in partnership with library staff, visiting participating schools where they explain the importance and fun of reading to the children and encourage them to use their local library.

It is the belief of the creator and supporters of the Adopt A Library Literacy Program that there is a relationship between youth illiteracy and crime. While there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim, the statistics seem to indicate a strong relationship between low literacy skills and increased levels of crime in later years; the higher the level of literacy, the lower the crime rate.

Once a month, a designated teacher in each school counts the number of books read before registering the tally on ‘The Reading Challenge’ website www.fightingcrime.ca. At the end of the school year the school that has read the most books overall will receive €2100 worth of books, sponsored by Scholastic publishers, while Clare County Library is also awarding the school who reads the most in County Clare with €2000 worth of books. The Library offers free membership to all schools in Clare. This membership entitles the school to a loan of 30 books for one month. Books may be renewed or exchanged at any time during the month ensuring a fresh supply of books for all young readers. Individual children’s membership is also free.

The Reading Challenge began in November 2006 and runs until June 2007. The participating National Schools in Clare are Tubber, Burrane, Clouna, Carrigaholt, Doonaha, Lackyle, Killaloe Boys National, Ennis Educate Together School, Coore, St. Senans N.S. Kilrush, Moy, Mullagh, Corofin, Flagmount, Crusheen, Newmarket on Fergus, Cratloe, Moyasta, Feakle, Doora and Inagh.

Commenting on Clare County Library’s link-up with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, County Librarian Noel Crowley said, “We are delighted to have been able to partake in such an important and unique program. The Reading Challenge is yet another important addition to Clare County Library’s ever expanding range of children’s services. I would like to thank An Garda Síochana, Canadian Libraries, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the participating primary schools for their ongoing co-operation. The Library Service looks forward to further developing the initiative in County Clare.”