Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Maria Byrne, I want to raise World Book Day, an issue that is very close to my heart. In particular, I want to talk about access to libraries and library services for children. I loved nothing more than going to the library as a child. I was a voracious reader and sometimes during the summer holidays when there were late-night openings, my dad would bring us to the library twice in one day. A love of books is one of the great gifts that my parents gave me and my sisters. I recognise that it is not always easy for parents to access books and libraries and particularly during Covid, children did not have the same opportunities to browse the aisles of their school library or the local library. The Labour Party would love to see a scheme introduced to encourage children throughout the country to make a trip to their local library to encourage a lifelong love of books. A tangible community approach will improve literacy skills in a very targeted way. Providing each child with a membership card and the offer of a book to keep could stimulate community participation. In addition, as a late-night reader myself, I believe we should extend library opening hours, particularly at weekends when most people have the time to use and enjoy the library.

We need to rethink and reimagine the potential of our libraries, which can be developed as local resource hubs not just for bookworms and students but those seeking training, work and aiming to set up their own businesses. There are several libraries around the country, including one being planned in Bettystown, County Meath that are really transformative spaces for their communities. They are not just library spaces but hubs for community activity. We also need to create a fairer starting point for children to help eradicate illiteracy through early intervention at primary and secondary school. Even though today is World Book Day, reading is for life and I would love to give every child in Ireland the right to read and to have that rooted in the local library.