Mayo libraries to celebrate 'Ireland Reads Day' tomorrow

People in Mayo are being urged to ‘get lost in a good book’ tomorrow (Saturday) as Ireland Reads Day comes to libraries nationwide.

Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, will be officially launching the Ireland Reads initiative in Ballina Library.

Several events to mark Ireland Reads have been organized by Mayo County Library Service to mark the day.

In Ballina Library, a ‘Read-A-Loud’ event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People of all ages are invited to come along to read from their favorite book and share the joy of reading with others. Jay Ryan, of RTE Junior’s Living with a Fairy will also be in Ballina Library at 10.15 a.m. with his Super Silly Stories.

Meanwhile, in Castlebar Library, children are invited to the Book Clinic with Children’s Books Ireland which will run from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Pop in and have a chat about what you like reading and leave with a prescription for more excellent books and authors.

Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde will also be in Castlebar Library at 2 p.m. for a Story Time session.

No need for parents to feel left out, as library staff will be delighted to recommend your next great read.

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

If you haven’t been in your local library in a while, it’s a great chance to rediscover the joys of Mayo Library and all they have to offer.

With 14 libraries throughout the county, and more than 346,000 books loaned last year, there are also a range of other services people might not be aware of.

Did you know that you can borrow musical instruments – anything from a bodhrán to a harp and lots more besides – for your child that’s starting their lessons?

They’ve also got Home Energy Savings Kits to help reduce your energy bills; Blood pressure monitors you can borrow to use at home.

If you’re planning the dream birthday party for someone special, forget about disposable plates and plastic cutlery – ask us about our Reusable Party Kits.

Download the BorrowBox app free of charge with your library card and get access to thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers (including the Irish Independent and The Connaught Telegraph!) and magazines straight to your phone or tablet.

There are weekly Storytime sessions in five libraries – Castlebar, Westport, Ballina, Ballyhaunis and Belmullet and book clubs in four libraries – Castlebar, Belmullet, Ballyhaunis and Kiltimagh.

County Librarian Austin Vaughan said: “We love to share the joy of reading with everyone in Mayo and we’d encourage everyone to pop in to their local library tomorrow and find a book they can lose themselves in.

"It’s free to join and we don’t charge late fees any more, so there’s no reason not to be a library member.”