Free children’s books ready to collect in Leitrim libraries under new Government scheme

The Government has launched a new scheme to improve young children’s skills through the ‘First 5’, a whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families.

From today, parents and their children from Leitrim and nationwide can choose from 190,000 bedtime story books in English and Irish available in their local libraries.

The ‘First 5 Little Book at Bedtime’ initiative was announced by Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development, in collaboration with public libraries and the Local Government Management Agency.

On behalf of public libraries in Ireland, Pauline Brennan, Leitrim County Librarian and Chair of the National Programmes Committee, said: “We’re so excited to be part of the Little Book at Bedtime initiative.

“We love seeing parents and children picking out books to read together, knowing the many benefits that have for children’s wellbeing, literacy and love of reading”, she said.

Minister Roderic, at the launching, noted that “reading bedtime stories to children has many benefits, including supporting a close parental bond, developing children’s language and their imagination”.

He said: “I hope all families with young children will avail of this opportunity to pick up a free bedtime storybook from the library”.

Minister Humphreys said: “Every library in the country has bedtime story books ready for parents and children to pick up. I know librarians across the country are looking forward to greeting all these young children when they come to pick up their Little Book at Bedtime”.

Free bedtime story books and library card wallets are available at the library for all children of 4 years and under. To join the initiative, families must provide photographic identification and proof of current address to finalise the membership.

This exciting initiative aims to engage all parents of young children to read stories with them at bedtime.