READISCOVER Clare County Library in March

The library READISCOVER campaign sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy, takes place this year during the month of March and also coincides with Library Ireland Week. Events are being organized by libraries all over Ireland and there is no shortage of events taking place locally in almost all branches of Clare County Library.

On World Book Day, March 3rd , artist Alan Shoosmith will run workshops in three of Clare’s libraries in Ennis, Shannon and Sixmilebridge where 3rd and 4th class children can draw and paint their favourite book characters. Library staff are looking forward to welcoming children from nearby schools who are invited to dress as their heroes from the world of children’s books on the day. Kilrush, Kilmihil, Scariff and Ennistymon libraries will host the same workshop on alternative days during the week.

Tulla, Scariff and Killaloe Libraries welcome children's writer and journalist Olive O’Brien on World Book Day 2011. Her recently published eco-friendly books aim to inform children about environmental issues and promote environmental awareness in a unique way through her recently published titles: Eco Zico, Perry the Playful Polar Bear and Perry the Polar Bear Goes Green.

Thirteen libraries in the county will run events for Seachtain na Gaeilge. Library staff Seamus Ó Rían and Teresa Carmody O’Shea will provide scéalaíocht do dhaoine óga in several branches for local schoolchildren. Seamus and Teresa are regular entertainers each year of 1st and 2nd class children, delivering interactive storytelling sessions in the Irish language using books from the County Library’s collection of leabhair ghaeilge do pháistí óga.

Author and musician Maidhc Dainín O’Sé has published eleven books so far. His autobiography, A Thig Ná Tit Orm is studied by thousands of Leaving Cert students each year. Senior students from Secondary Schools will have an opportunity to meet him in deValera Library, Ennis and Scariff Library on the 4th of March. Other events celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge include an interview by Clare County Council’s Irish officer Emer Ní Fhlathairtaigh with Lisa Ní Laoire in Shannon and Miltown Malbay libraries. Lisa plays Molly in the popular TV series Ros na Rún.

Ailbhe ni Ghearbhuigh will facilitate a a poetry workshop for second level students in Ennistymon Library on the 8th of March.

Storyteller Niall de Búrca will regale primary school children and indeed anyone who loves a good story in Ennis, Newmarket on Fergus and Shannon Public Libraries on March the 9th. Recognised for the diversity of his stories and with an ability to reach all ages, Niall is always a welcome visitor to the libraries of County Clare.

Promoting its regular services specific to teenagers, a lending library will be available at Clare Youth Service on the 10th of March from which students can borrow the latest novels, graphic novels, non fiction books, music CDs and film DVDs from Clare County Library’s collection.

Our continuing multi-cultural storytime project with the children of Scoil Chriost Rí also takes place in March. Having so far explored the Nigerian language Yoruba and Croatian, the next session will concentrate on the Irish language in a special Seachtain na Gaeilge event with stories for the children of 1st class delivered as gaeilge at the deValera Library, Ennis.

Details of all events are available from library branches and the online Library Events calendar.