Waterford people urged to ‘get lost in a good book' as Ireland Reads Day approaches

People in Waterford are being urged to ‘get lost in a good book’ on Saturday, February 22, as Ireland Reads Day comes to libraries nationwide.

Ardkeen Library are inviting children to join them for Teddy Storytime, and to create their own bookmark, which takes place on Saturday February at 10:30am.  This event is suitable for all ages, and all are welcome with no need to book.

Bring your favourite teddy along to enjoy some special stories!

Running for the whole week, from Monday, February 17 to Saturday, February 22, drop into Ardkeen Library and create a bookmark. There will be colours, bookmarks, and stickers galore available.

Throughout the month, Browns Road Library, Lisduggan are inviting kids to take part in 'Guess the Title of the Book.'

You call in at any point this February, take a guess, and be in with a chance to win a prize.

Ireland Reads Day, led by Libraries Ireland, encourages people of all ages to pick up a book during the month of February and to embrace the joy and power of reading.

Award-winning author and Ireland Reads ambassador, Marian Keyes, feels strongly about the transformative power of reading, which she discovered as a child. 

The best-selling author said, “I was an anxious, lonely child, but when I read my first Enid Blyton book, 'The Twins at St Clare’s', my mind was blown,

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“Suddenly, I had a gateway to another world – to infinite worlds. I was able to escape the discomfort of being me by immersing myself in the lives of others. Since then, reading has been my saviour. The ability to read is my superpower,” Ms Keyes concluded.

Ireland Reads is a great way to rediscover Waterford libraries and all the services they have to offer, according to Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development at the Local Government Management Agency. 

Mr Hamilton said, “Some may be pleasantly surprised to learn that library fees were abolished in January 2019 and all previous fines were removed. This means that you can return to your library with a clean slate – even if you forgot to return that last book,

“Libraries have hundreds of books and reading resources across people’s interests to bring great pleasure to people in today’s busy world," he added.

There is also a wide variety of eEducation options available at your fingertips through the eLibrary, including language courses.

From your first job search to a career change or support after time out of the professional world, your library can help. 

Users can also access a range of services, including career advice, employment research support and tips on how to prepare for an interview or write a job application. 

For reading recommendations and to see a list of events taking place in libraries in Waterford and across the country, visit www.irelandreads.ie.

Led by Libraries Ireland, the campaign is an initiative of the Government of Ireland and is part of the Healthy Ireland programme.