All children in Donegal who are starting primary school in September are being invited to visit their local library to pick up a free book bag and take the opportunity to join the library.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, T.D., together with Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, T.D., today announced the launch of this year’s My Little Library free book bag for almost 60,000 children starting primary school.
Each year, every child leaving pre-school and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library to pick up a free book bag and take the opportunity to join the library.
The My Little Library initiative 2025 is expected to lead to tens of thousands of families picking up their book bags and joined their local library. Since its launch, an average of 20,000 four to five-year-olds have joined their local libraries annually.
The books and resources in the book bag, which is available in both English and ‘as Gaeilge’, support children and their parents in the transition to primary school.
From 9th of May 2025, all children in Donegal completing the universal pre-school programme Early Childhood Care and Education and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library and pick up a free book bag. The bags will be available throughout the summer. All families are welcomed to join the library if they are not already members.
Minister Foley said she was pleased to announce the 2025 My Little Library initiative.
“Reading is a magical gift, and it is great to give children the opportunity to develop a love of reading from a young age. Many parents may not be aware that every child about to enter primary school is eligible for their free My Little Library book bag. That’s why I am urging every family in Donegal with a child starting primary school this September to pick up their Little Library book bag from their local library.
“The transition from pre-school to primary school is such an important moment for every child in Ireland. Books and stories support connection between parents and their children. They also promote early language and literacy development which is crucial for children’s success in early childhood and beyond.”
Minister Buttimer said: “I warmly welcome the launch of the 2025 My Little Library Initiative. I know that the library staff in Donegal share my enthusiasm for connecting young families with our excellent national library service.
“Books and stories are a lovely way of helping parents support their children with their learning journey and becoming a library member gives lifelong access to the joy of books and reading.”
My Little Library is run in association with the Local Government Management Agency and delivered by local authorities. It is a collaboration between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and Local Government Ireland.
Head, Libraries Development, Local Government Management Agency, Dr Stuart Hamilton said:
“Local authority public libraries are delighted to be running the My Little Library Bag initiative this year.
“Local libraries across Donegal are looking forward to welcoming all children starting school and their families in to collect their My Little Library book bags and discover the fun of being a library member.
“We hope that our Little Library members and their families will come back regularly to refill their book bags and enjoy all the free events and activities libraries hold throughout the year.
“The support of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Rural and Community Development allows us to build annually on the great successes of Little Library over the past few years.”
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