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The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen (second from right) launched the 1,000 books for children in Direct Provision and Family Resource Centres initiative at Killarney Library on Thursday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
KERRY Libraries are this week donating 1,000 books to children living in Direct Provision Centres in the county as well as children using the services of Family Resource Centres throughout Kerry.
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen launched the initiative at Killarney Library on Thursday.
The initiative has been made possible with funding provided by Kerry County Council and the Dormant Accounts Scheme 2020 to support services for marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged communities.
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In the coming days, 1,000 Christmas books, suitable for pre-school children, will be gifted to children in Direct Provision Centres and children who are clients of the many Family Resource Centres across county Kerry.
“It is hoped that this will introduce families to the concept of sharing a bedtime story this Christmas and that it will promote a long-term interest and love of reading and a future ongoing contact with library services,” said County Librarian Tommy O’Connor.
Cllr Connor-Scarteen commended the work of Kerry Library in rolling out the initiative which he said was a wonderful seasonal boost for many families and children in particular at Christmas.
Kerry Library is also delivering the “Family Time with the Library” programme with the aim of supporting the involvement of the whole family in children’s reading. Children can register and agree to read six books, e-audio or e-books during the month. All who complete the programme will receive a Library Book Bag which will include a selection of books. Family events and activities will take place online at www.kerrylibrary.ie All Kerry libraries are promoting the programme to library users, schools and parents/guardians.
Meanwhile why not pay a visit to any of the nine libraries throughout the county, all of which have re-opened for normal lending services. See www.kerrylibrary.ie for further details or e-mail info@kerrylibrary.ie
