Thursday 29 November 2018

Family Time at Your Library

Clare County Library wishes to extend a particular welcome to families to visit its branch network throughout the county during December 2018. Family Time at Your Library is a specially designated initiative under the Right to Read government policy to welcome readers young and old from local communities to attend events, take a library tour, engage in activities, check out the library’s online resources and take time to look at the extensive range of reading material available for all ages. New members are especially welcome and library membership is free to all.

Kilkee Public Library staff are setting aside Monday 3rd December from 5 to 7.30pm for family activities. There will be a Christmas movie showing and Christmas card crafts followed by refreshments for all visitors. And for those of you who would like a break from the Christmas theme, why not come along to a Fun Science Day on December 15th 10.30am to 1pm when families are invited to join Scientist Dipankar Biswas to try out a host of exciting and surprise experiments. This is a collaborative event with Clare Family Learning Project, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, (lcetb).

In neighbouring Kilrush library on the 15th of December from 11am to 12.30pm Clare storyteller Ruth Marshall will tell her favourite Christmas stories and invite her audience to join in Christmas crafts.

Children aged 4 to 7 and their parents are invited to a storytime event at Kilmihil Library at 5.30pm on the 11th of December. Christmas stories and healthy snacks will be on offer.

On Saturday the 8th of December at 12 noon Scariff Library showcases its services and invites you and your family to join in an environmentally-friendly craft workshop making Christmas decorations from recycled materials.

Clare Family Learning Project My Baby and Me is currently under way at Killaloe Library with get togethers for parents and their babies every Thursday from 10am to 12 noon. Parents and their babies, under three are invited to join tutor Laura Barrett to share useful ideas on supporting their children’s learning. It is an opportunity for parents to meet others and to share useful ideas on life-long learning for their children in a positive and friendly environment. These classes have been organised by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (lcetb) and will continue every Thursday up to the 13th of December. Library staff welcome children, parents and grandparents to find out more about their local library and the activities on offer throughout the month of December.

DeValera Public Library, Ennis hosts its family focused event on the 15th of December from 12 noon to 2pm. Children and parents are invited to join in family board games, creative fun with LEGO and watch a cartoon movie. There will be time to join the library and find out what becoming a member has to offer as well as lots of tips for parents on encouraging reading.

Visit Corofin Library on the 12th Of December to celebrate the festive season and the joy of reading. Families are invited to a special reading of ‘The Night Before Christmas’, there will be Christmas poems and dance activities courtesy of staff and the Corofin Library bookclub and festive treats will be provided.

Shannon, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket libraries have organized an exciting programme of Christmas events with the first one in the region taking place on the 8th of December at Sixmilebridge. All families in the area are invited to join storyteller Ruth Marshall for Christmas stories, art and crafts from 12 noon to 1.30pm.

On December 15th at 11am Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon are running a creative Christmas origami workshop for children aged 7 to 11. Afterwards, families are invited to join in the singing when local choir Non Nobis Domine will raise the roof with seasonal favourites. This, like all the Christmas events in libraries in December is free. Booking is required for the origami craft session.

There will be special Christmas stories and crafts for children aged 3 to 7 and their parents at the William Smith O'Brien Public Library, Newmarket-on-Fergus on Wednesday, 12th December at 4pm. In keeping with Clare County Library’s Healthy Ireland programme, a selection of healthy treats will be laid on for all visitors.

Libraries in North Clare also plan to extend their activities programme for the month of December to welcome families to visit Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay and Lisdoonvarna libraries. Roisin Meaney, author and invited guest will be in Ennistymon Library on Saturday 15th December to entertain families in storytime and demonstrate to parents how to make stories come alive when reading to children. This event beginning at 11am will be followed by Christmas Crackers art and craft activities.

Christmas crafts are also the focus of Lisdoonvarna’s Family Time at your Library. From 6 to 8pm on the 13th of December you are invited to a festive evening of Christmas activities. Decorating Christmas cupcakes, making crackers and Christmas garlands are all on the list.

Christmas and Family Time at your Library will be celebrated at Miltown Malbay Library on Saturday 8th December 11.00 am to 12.30p.m. Staff invite you to choose from an extensive collection of children’s Christmas books including new additions and old favourites. Try your hand at decorating festive cupcakes and of course refreshments will be at the ready for adult helpers who will be encouraged to join in the fun along with their children.

By focusing on family activities in December Clare County Library wishes to invite all parents to visit the library with their children from the earliest years and make the library a familiar part of your child's life. Choose all the books you want to read to your toddler or pre-schooler, take them home and exchange for more on your next visit. Choose from our DVD selection, borrow audio books and CDs to listen to at home or in the car and remember to check out our online resources for the whole family available through our website www.clarelibrary.ie

A range of activities take place annually in all branches. Ask your librarian for programming details. Clare County Library welcomes your enquiries and staff are always pleased to assist in finding the best books to suit your children’s tastes and needs. Library staff look forward to welcoming you and your children to join us this December for Family Time at Your library. For full event details visit your local branch or check out the Library Events on our website.

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