Reach for the Stars at Mayo Library

By Darina Molloy

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars…” So goes the famous quote from Oscar Wilde.

At Mayo Library, let us tell you assuredly that none of us are in the gutter, but we will all be looking at the stars for the rest of the summer. The Summer Stars, that is.

Almost 2,000 of your young readers have already signed up for Summer Stars at their nearest Mayo library branch - but there’s still time to join up!

Children who sign up for the programme this year will receive a lovely booklet in which they can record details of their reading adventure - information about them and their favourite book, different places they like to read, and the different types of things they like to read. This year’s booklet is also full to bursting with lots of fun activities, word puzzles and things to do.

We love Summer Stars here at Mayo Library. We love it because we get to see lots of shiny, happy faces as the boys and girls enjoy choosing their books and finding different places to read over the summer. We love it because there’s nothing like the joy of sharing a love of books and stories with the readers of the future. And we love it because we are not forcing frazzled parents to part with exorbitant sums of money for a few hours of manufactured entertainment.

With new books arriving regularly at the library, there is plenty to choose from to please every child - whether they are fans of Tom Gates, Isadora Moon, Dog Man, Looshkin, Skulduggery Pleasant or the Rainbow Fairies. Whether your junior readers are into animals, mysteries, facts or humour, we’ve got something to keep them engrossed.

If you’re planning any long car trips this summer, be sure to check on our BorrowBox app for some brilliant audiobooks that will keep everyone enthralled, and make those journeys much easier.

All 14 of our Mayo libraries are taking part in Summer Stars this year and they are aiming to sign up as many children in the county as possible to this great programme, so why not give it a go in your house.

If your child doesn’t already have a library card, you can join them up for free. You’ll need to sign a consent form and show some proof of address.

And, of course, our Summer Stars events are continuing throughout the county over the summer - keep an eye on our social media and in your local library branch for full details.

Happy reading!

For more information on Summer Stars, please contact your local library. Branches near you are: Achill (098) 20910; Ballina (094) 9064454; Ballinrobe (094) 9541896; Ballyhaunis (094) 9630161; Bellmullet (097) 82555; Castlebar (094) 9064010; Charlestown (094) 9255934; Claremorris (094) 9371666; Crossmolina (096) 31939; Foxford (094) 9256040; Kiltimagh (094) 9381786; Louisburgh (098) 66658; Swinford (094) 9253120; Westport (098) 25747.

Or check out mayo.ie/library for more information on events and a full library catalogue. For more information on Summer Stars at Your Library, activities, and recommendations of what to read next, check out www.summerstars.ie.