Mayo people encouraged to ‘get lost in a book’ at free library events this weekend

People in Mayo are being urged to ‘get lost in a good book’ on Saturday, February 22, as Ireland Reads Day comes to libraries nationwide.

In Ballina Library, a ‘Read-A-Loud’ event will be held on the day, from 10am to 4pm. People of all ages are invited to come along to read from their favourite book and share the joy of reading with others. 

The event also gives people the opportunity to find out what everybody else has on their must-read list.

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Ireland Reads Day, led by Libraries Ireland, encourages people of all ages to pick up a book during the month of February and to embrace the joy and power of reading.

Meanwhile, in Castlebar Library, children are invited to the Book Clinic with Children’s Books Ireland which will run from 11.30am to 3.30pm on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

The public are encouraged to pop in and have a chat about what they like reading and leave with a prescription for more excellent books and authors.

Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde will also be in Castlebar Library at 2pm for a Story Time session. No need for parents to feel left out, as library staff will be delighted to recommend your next great read.

Ireland Reads Day, led by Libraries Ireland, encourages people of all ages to pick up a book during February and to embrace the joy and power of reading.

If you haven’t been in your local library in a while, it’s a great chance to rediscover the joys of Mayo Library and all they have to offer. With fourteen libraries throughout the county, and more than 346,000 books loaned last year, there are also a range of other services people might not be aware of.

It is also now possible to borrow musical instruments from Castlebar Library, anything from a bodhrán to a harp and more making it an ideal place for children to access instruments for lessons.

They’ve also got Home Energy Savings Kits to help reduce energy bills; blood pressure monitors that can be borrowed for use at home and Reusable Party Kits with disposable cutlery.

There are weekly Storytime sessions in five libraries, Castlebar, Westport, Ballina, Ballyhaunis and Belmullet and book clubs in four libraries, Castlebar, Belmullet, Ballyhaunis and Kiltimagh.

County Librarian Austin Vaughan says: “We love to share the joy of reading with everyone in Mayo and we’d encourage everyone to pop in to their local library on Saturday and find a book they can lose themselves in.

"It’s free to join and we don’t charge late fees any more, so there’s no reason not to be a library member.”

Led by Libraries Ireland, the campaign is an initiative of the Government of Ireland and is part of the Healthy Ireland programme.