Right to Read: A new initiative to strengthen literacy support throughout the country
Launching Right to Read with children from St. Louise’s Crèche, North William Street, Dublin 1
Launched at Charleville Mall Library, Dublin, on 3rd July by An Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Minister Jan O'Sullivan
An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D. and the Minister for Housing and Planning, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, T.D. launched the Right to Read Campaign on July 3rd in Charleville Mall Library. Right to Read is a new national initiative which aims to greatly enhance literacy levels throughout the country. It will be delivered in all local authorities through a nationally coordinated framework for literacy support and development. The national framework for the Right to Read Campaign will be managed by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Libraries Development, LGMA and local authorities.
As part of the campaign, a national Right to Read Awards Programme will be developed and implemented. This annual award will provide recognition for local authorities achieving a supportive and responsive literacy programme to an agreed level.
Launching Right to Read with children from St. Louise’s Crèche, North William Street, Dublin 1
The Right to Read Campaign was launched at Charleville Mall Library on 3rd July 2014. Photo: Front row L-R: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D. with children from St. Louise’s Crèche, North William Street, Dublin 1 Back row L- R: Minister Paschal Donohoe, T.D.; Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Mr. Tom Coughlan, Chair, Libraries Development Committee, LGMA and Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Minister Jan O’Sullivan, T.D.; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Christy Burke; Mr. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D.
Launching Right to Read with children from St. Louise’s Crèche, North William Street, Dublin 1
Launching Right to Read with children from St. Louise’s Crèche, North William Street, Dublin 1
The Right to Read Campaign was launched at Charleville Mall Library on 3rd July 2014. Photo: Front row L-R: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D. with children from St. Louise’s Crèche, North William Street, Dublin 1 Back row L- R: Minister Paschal Donohoe, T.D.; Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Mr. Tom Coughlan, Chair, Libraries Development Committee, LGMA and Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Minister Jan O’Sullivan, T.D.; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Christy Burke; Mr. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D.
Speaking at the launch, An Tánaiste, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, TD, stated, “The connection between literacy and quality of life, employment opportunity and social well-being is undeniable. Today we are launching a strategy that places literacy at the heart of local authority plans over the coming years. The strategy will ensure that literacy receives the priority and co-ordination it deserves at local authority level, especially through vital services such as libraries, sport and recreation and housing design.”
A particular strength of the programme is its foundation in a collaborative approach which will involve local authority services, community organisations and education bodies working together to produce real outcomes for people in terms of literacy skills development. The cooperative effort will focus on providing effective and sustainable literacy support including the provision of services and resources, access to support, action planning, awareness-raising, monitoring and evaluation.
Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Ms. Maureen O’Sullivan, T.D.; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D.
At the launch of the Right to Read Campaign, Charleville Mall Library on 3rd July 2014
Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Ms. Maureen O’Sullivan, T.D.; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D.
Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Ms. Maureen O’Sullivan, T.D.; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D.
At the launch of the Right to Read Campaign, Charleville Mall Library on 3rd July 2014
Mr Aidan O'Reilly, Principal Officer at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government speaking at the launch of Right to Read
L- R: Mr. Aidan O’Reilly, Principal Officer, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Christy Burke; Mr. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D.; Minister Jan O’Sullivan, T.D.; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D.; Mr. Tom Coughlan, Chair, Libraries Development Committee, LGMA and Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Minister Paschal Donohoe, T.D.
Mr Aidan O'Reilly, Principal Officer at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government speaking at the launch of Right to Read
Mr Aidan O'Reilly, Principal Officer at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government speaking at the launch of Right to Read
L- R: Mr. Aidan O’Reilly, Principal Officer, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Christy Burke; Mr. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D.; Minister Jan O’Sullivan, T.D.; Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, T.D.; Mr. Tom Coughlan, Chair, Libraries Development Committee, LGMA and Chief Executive, Clare County Council; Minister Joe Costello, T.D.; Minister Paschal Donohoe, T.D.
In his speech at the launch, Mr. Tom Coughlan, Chair, Libraries Development Committee, LGMA, stated, “I see the improvement of literacy standards as an urgent priority and I believe at local level we need to embrace the opportunity the Right to Read Campaign provides to demonstrate our firm commitment to literacy support and strengthen our engagement in continuing to develop literacy skills within our local communities […] I believe that this structure will invigorate existing relationships and strengthen the partnership approach in delivering literacy support.”
Public libraries will take a leading role for local government in delivering the Right to Read Campaign. The experience of library staff in providing literacy activities in cooperation with other key agencies and offering accessible and community-orientated services will be particularly valuable.
Minister O’Sullivan noted, “This initiative has been made possible through the enthusiasm and support of a number of partners including the LGMA, the library section of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and in particular library staff throughout the country. Library staff has been hugely support of the initiative and I look forward to their leading role in delivering on the objectives contained in the document.”
Right to Read is available to downlaod from the Publications section of AskaboutIreland.ie.
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