Over 20,000 books borrowed by children in Waterford this Summer
Pupils of St. Mary’s National School, Ballygunner. Photo: Mary Browne
Just under 23,000 books have been borrowed by children in Waterford since the annual Summer Stars Reading Programme commenced in June. So far, 2,889 primary school children have joined the programme for this year.
Summer Stars is the public library national summer reading programme for children that runs from the start of June until the end of August.
The free national programme, held in all Waterford libraries encourages children to keep reading over the summer months.
Speaking at the beginning of this year's programme, Tracy McEneaney, Executive Librarian with Waterford City and County Council expressed the value of children reading in and outside of the classroom.
“It is important for children to keep reading over the summer if they want to maintain their reading skills or better still improve. Waterford Libraries offers free membership for all, and you are never too young to start reading.”
Each child can register for the adventure at any library and will receive a Summer Stars Reading Card to record and track their progress. At the end of the adventure, children return their reading card to their local library.
A range of events for children will be held in Waterford Libraries throughout the summer, and during Children’s Book Festival in October, Waterford Library staff will visit schools to present the children with their Summer Stars medal and certificate of achievement.
Children still have time to join, register in their local library, complete the reading card at home and return to Waterford Libraries before August 31, to receive a medal and certificate of completion at their school in October.
Library membership is free and so is the Summer Stars Reading Programme. See www.waterfordlibraries.ie for details.
