Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Photographs of World Book Day Events

Clare County Library ran a bumper programme of events to celebrate the 11th World Book Day in Ireland and the UK on Thursday, 6th March 2008. Over the last ten years World Book Day has become firmly established as the biggest annual event promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. A host of events including author readings, storytimes and library tours took place in libraries around the county.

Storytime sessions for young children took place in several libraries while older schoolchildren came together for special Seachtáin na Gaeilge poetry workshops provided by Dingle-based poet, Bríd Ní Mhoráin in deValera Library, Ennis and in Sean Lemass Library, Shannon on the same day.

Local writer, Jane Flynn visited Miltown Malbay Library on World Book Day. 55 pupils from Annagh, Rineen and Miltown N.S. came to hear her speak about how she came to have her short stories published by Phoenix Press. She delighted and inspired her young listeners with anecdotes such as the time she sent her first short stories to Image Magazine earning herself first prize of £500.00. The children were also treated to one of her stories, which was based in Miltown, and actively participated in its reading by guessing where in the local area the featured places are to be found.

Nigel Benson also visited Miltown Malbay Library to join in the World Book Day celebrations. He kindly donated some psychology books which he has published, to be added to library stock. He shared his book about his home town in England with the children of Annagh National School and they joined with him to sing a song he recently composed for the Leon Festival in Quilty.

Kilkee and Kilrush Libraries treated their young patrons to art and craft workshops. A spinning workshop took place in both libraries and local artist April Jarocka held an art workshop in Kilrush. Sue Anker brought a hands-on experience of making wool to the schoolchildren who came to her workshops in both libraries. During the sessions she spoke about the history of making wool and showed them sheep and lama fleeces which they then spun into wool. She spoke about natural dyes from trees and plants which she herself uses to dye wool. Every child had a chance to use the spinning wheel, making the workshop all the more enjoyable.

Young children joined in storytimes organized by library staff and, to add to the entertainment, children from St. Senan’s National School staged their Féile na hÍnse, award-winning concert, to a packed house, at lunch time in Kilrush Library.

Mr Hugh Weir, author, historian, environmentalist, publisher and journalist visited Tulla Library for World Book Day. Thirty eight pupils and their teacher from 6th class at St Mochulla's Primary School and some regular library visitors were present to hear Hugh speak about some of the old landlord houses in the Tulla Region. He also discussed a book he wrote on Brian Boru with the schoolchildren and provided an excellent forum for discussion on the history of Tulla in general.

Tina Andreuchetti read stories to the children from Labasheeda and Kildysart National Schools in Kildysart Library. Starting with a sing-song she created just the right atmosphere for her young audience to sit and listen to stories from different countries giving them plenty opportunity to join in.

Ennistymon Library exhibited all entries received for the library’s World Book Day Art Display. Scenes from favourite books illustrated by children and adults formed a colourful exhibition which went on display in the branch.

Killaloe Library welcomed a group of 26 children aged 4-6 years for a storytime with Amanda O'Connor on the morning of World Book Day. Using a Story Sack which she created herself, the session became the launchpad for a Family Learning Project spanning eight weeks during which adults in the area will make their own story sacks. Other junior classes from nearby schools also held storytime sessions in the library.

Newmarket on Fergus, Sixmilebridge and deValera Library, Ennis provided storytime sessions for children in all three areas.

A ‘Big Book Quiz’ was enjoyed by 60 children from 4th, 5th and 6th classes of Scariff National School in Scariff Library. After five mind-bending rounds and a nail biting tie-breaker, the team of Ellen O Brien, Cathy Madden, John Scanlan and Patrick Walsh emerged victorious and received their well deserved prizes of book tokens sponsored by Clare County Library.

Other children’s programmes to mark in your calendars for 2008 include, the deValera Library Children’s Summer Project in July, the Children’s Summer Reading Scheme which takes place in all branches of Clare County Library during school Summer holidays and Children’s Book Festival in October.