Immediate release: Monday, 14 June
Issued by Kids’ Own
FIRST LIBRARY OF BOOKS
MADE BY CHILDREN OPENS IN SLIGO
Ireland’s first mobile library stocked entirely with books written and illustrated by children was launched in Sligo on Monday (14 June). The unique project was unveiled during a fun-filled afternoon at Sligo Library, attended by local children and librarians.
The Travelling Library, which was developed by Kids’ Own, a Ballinful-based arts organisation, will be stationed at Sligo Library until 29 June, after which it will embark on a tour of the border region. During each leg of the tour local children will help to create a new book that will be published later this year.
“The Travelling Library is a unique resource through which children of all ages can engage with books made by their peers and develop their own creative skills,” said Orla Kenny, Creative Director of Kids’ Own. The Library is stocked exclusively with books created by children from across Ireland. The titles were published by Kids’ Own, a non-profit arts organisation that works to raise the status of children's creative skills as writers and artists by making their work visible to a wider audience.
The project is a cross-border initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs (Reconciliation Fund). “The aim of the Travelling Library is to promote cultural understanding through book-making activity and to increase children’s engagement with, and access to, books made by other children. It also aims to build capacity through training initiatives with librarians,” said Ms Kenny.
The Travelling Library will be stationed at Sligo Library until 29 June and workshops with local schools will take place on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd. At all other times, children and their families are invited to visit the Travelling Library and create their own books.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Orla Kenny, Creative Director of Kids’ Own is now available for interview. Please contact Gert Ackermann on 086 176 9287 or email: gert.ackermann@gmail.com.
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