Family Time with your Library 2020

This family-focused Library initiative is part of the National Right to Read Programme. It aims to increase awareness of the benefits of reading together as a family and promote reading as a fun, recreational activity for children. This December libraries want to encourage the involvement of the whole family in children's reading though a range of online activities. 

How to get involved........

Throughout the month of December we'll be sharing online storytimes (watch out for the real life donkey!),craft workshops, recommended reads and tips for reading with your child, both here on the website and on our Facebook page

We'd also love to have you visit our libraries where you can browse our selection of books and borrow some to take home with you and read as a family. Our staff will be delighted to help you choose the best books to suit your family. For information about you local library's opening hours click here.

What's in my local library to support story time at home?

  • Wide range of picture books
  • Rhyming books
  • Mr Men & Little Miss books
  • Board books for young children
  • Tactile books
  • Audio/Singalong books
  • Nursery rhymes
  • Favourites - Peppa, Dora, Thomas the Tank, Little Miss, Mr Men & Maisy
  • Helpful staff who are happy to advise
  • Irish language picture books​​

Benefits of storytelling for children

  • Improves memory
  • Encourages creativity
  • Improves listening skills
  • Helps with concentration
  • Makes schoolwork easier
  • Increases vocabulary
  • Broadens horizons
  • Develops communication skills
  • A lovely way to spend family time together
  • Offers children the opportunity to express their feelings
  • Helps foster a love of reading

​Storytime tips for parents


  • Above all else, reading should be fun , not "homeworky"
  • Try to make time every day to share a book with your child (bedtime is an ideal time)
  • Find a quiet place to share your story
  • Start sharing books even before your child knows how to read - you can talk about the pictures
  • Books with rhyme and repetition encourage your child to join in
  • Let other grown-ups join in too - grandparents, older siblings
  • New stories encourage new vocabulary
  • And of course.....bring your child to your local library

Library Storytime

Library Video Playlists.

For more storytime fun why not revisit some of our storytime playlists from earlier this year.