Get lost in a good book
Cork people of all ages are being encouraged to pick up a book during the month of February and to embrace the joy and power of reading.
It’s part of Ireland Reads Day taking place on Saturday 22 February, in libraries nationwide where readers are being urged to ‘get lost in a good book’.
The Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield will be hosting an event entitled Open Reads for Ireland Reads at 3pm. Organisers are inviting everyone to come to the library to read a piece from their favourite writing, be it a prose, poetry, reportage or even a rap.
Those interested are asked to give notice to the library on 021-4924935 so their piece can be scheduled, and are reminded there will be a time limit of 10 minutes.
On the same day and aimed at children aged 7-12, Kinsale Library will host an author visit with Leona Forde, author of the Milly McCarthy series, at 11am.
The illustrated books follow the antics of a madcap young Irish girl called Milly, who is a magnet for chaos and is an Irish female version of the Wimpy Kid character.
Ireland Reads Day is led by Libraries Ireland. Award-winning author and Ireland Reads ambassador, Marian Keyes, said she feels strongly about the transformative power of reading, which she discovered as a child.
“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. Suddenly, I had a gateway to another world – to infinite worlds.”
She added: “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.”
Ireland Reads is a great way to rediscover Cork libraries and all the services they have to offer, according to Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development at the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). “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.”
He added: “Libraries have hundreds of books and reading resources across people’s interests to bring great pleasure to people in today’s busy world. Librarians are on-hand to assist you in finding reading for your enjoyment and support you in developing a healthy habit that is reading.
“Also, people are always delighted to learn about Borrowbox - your library collection and services in one app. It allows you can delve into ebooks and audiobooks - as well as a selection of e-magazines and e-newspapers - free of charge.”