Championing Clare County Library

Clare County Library has launched a ‘Library Champions’ project. Clare Library Champions are people who love their libraries and want to be in the know about library events and activities. Anyone can become a library champion…you just have to love and use libraries! The aim of our project is to champion libraries and promote them as a place for all; a place where everyone is welcome and can avail of equal opportunities, regardless of age, gender, race, class or education. We want people to be aware of the library as being their resource and their gateway to knowledge, leisure and pleasure.

We put a call out to members of the public, including some well-known people in the community, to share with us what they love about libraries and we are delighted to have started receiving submissions, including from people such as Councillor John Crowe (Cathaoirleach Clare County Council), Rachael English (broadcaster and writer), Tony Griffin (all-star hurler), Mr. Donald J. Trump, and many more. You can read their glowing tributes to the library at http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/library/champions/library_champions.htm.

We hope you too will join us in spreading that message. Becoming a Library Champion is very straightforward! All you need to do is write a short paragraph on what it is you love about libraries or how libraries have helped you in your life. We would also invite you to provide us with a photograph of yourself in one of our library branches or with a literary theme, e.g. enjoying a book in your favourite reading place. We then plan to put the short piece you have written on our website, along with your photo if you submit one. We may also use this material in the local press or as part of a library exhibition. You can submit your piece at your local branch library or email it to mailbox@clarelibrary.ie using the subject “Library Champions”.