Summer Reading winners and prize-giving event 2017

The idea behind Summer Reading is a simple one - children pick up a Summer Reading Card from their local library and for every book they read, they get a stamp on their reading card. Along the way, they pick up incentives such as bookmarks, pencils, magnets, wristbands, swim caps and book bags. Once the reading card is filled with six stamps, it gets posted into a special draw box in each library.

In 2016 the summer reading programme went nationwide and nearly all libraries in Ireland became involved. We hope this programme continues to grow and expand as fostering a love of books and reading in the young is a really high priority for all of us who work in public libraries. Every child in Ireland that took part in Summer Reading 2017 are winners.

As Summer Reading 2017 drew to a close in dlr, each branch library held a draw and three names were pulled out of each draw box. Those 3 children chosen from each branch library in dlr were invited to a prize-giving event in dlr LexIcon on Sat 23^rd September along with their families.

Each child invited to the event was presented with a summer reading medal by our Cathaoirleach Cllr Tom Murphy. We decided to shop local and purchased vouchers from the Art & Hobby shop, Gamestop and Nimble fingers. Children also received a book bag containing two graphic novels created by children and teens in the dlr area and the latest Inis 2017guide to childrens’ books.

We had a pirate magician named Keith who entertained with jokes and balloons. We had goodie bags for all children present at the event.

Once again congratulations to our winners, listed below and well done to everyone that participated. Another thank you is due to all the parents and teachers, who encourage children to read, and bring children to libraries for regular visits.

Summer Reading branch library winners:

Blackrock library: Josephine Hayes, Una Finneran, Rory Dyball

Cabinteely library: Luka Sliosoraite, Snigdha Gade, Isabella Byrne

Dalkey library: Thomas Cassidy, Daisy Hooper, King Fan

Deansgrange library: Lorcán Stephenson-Wong, Bao Zhang, Sophie McNulty

dlr LexIcon:  Aibhlinn Baker, Alice O'Reilly, Ella Bartley

Dundrum library: Eimear O'Donnell, Siyao Zhao, Aimee Byrne Weldon

Shankill library: Samuel O’Neill, Destiny Ofuonyemegi, Katie Munn

Stillorgan library: Aaron Roy, Jamie Cox, Ojasvi Tomar

Top prize winners selected at the prize giving ceremony were:

1^st prize: Siyao Zhao, Dundrum library

€100 voucher from Nimble finger and a family pass for IMC cinemas and dlr Leisure swimming pools

2^nd prize: Lorcán Stephenson-Wong, Deansgrange library

€75 voucher for Art & Hobby Shop and a family pass for IMC cinemas and dlr Leisure swimming pools

3^rd prize: Jamie Cox, Stillorgan library

€50 voucher for Gamestop and a family pass for IMC cinemas and dlr Leisure swimming pools

We would like to thank Brambles Café, dlr LexIcon who sponsored goodie bags for all children present at the event. We would also like to thank IMC Cinemas and dlr Leisure services for sponsoring family vouchers for our Summer Reading top prize winners.

Photography by Peter Cavanagh.