COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

MOTION NO. 15

MOTION: Councillor M. Ward

"As Mayor I launched the  Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Tallaght in February. This area committee agrees that the Council should look to expand this initiative to Clondalkin and that the initiative should be launched from the new North Clondalkin Library. This will see all children under the age of 5 receive a free book a month until they reach the age of 5 in the Clondalkin Area. This will be a great way to get children reading early in line with the opening of the new library."

REPORT:

"The Dolly Parton Imagination Library launched in the County Library, Tallaght in February is a pilot initiative in conjunction with the Childrens' Development Initiative for the Dublin 24 area. While we might like to see this programme rolled out also in Clondalkin, it is up to CDI to review it and expand the programme.

South Dublin Libraries are involved in the CLOVER project (Children Learn on Very Early Reading) which is a literacy initiative focusing on DEIS schools in Clondalkin and parts of Lucan. The library service is providing a literacy and numeracy book to children from the early start programmes in these schools. We have selected 10 titles to encourage family literacy, supported by school visits to the library, and talks for parents on the importance of early reading with their children. The project is bringing books into homes where there may be very little reading material for children, and will be a pathway to establishing usage of the new library in North Clondalkin, which is currently under construction. Other initiatives include regular storytime from the Mobile Library Service in Rowlagh Community Centre, along with book drops to creches and schools in the area."