Presentation Team Read Certificates in Ballybane Library

Some of the many participants at the celebrations recently held in Ballybane Library for the presentation of the certificates for 'Team Read' Summer Reading Programme

Con Tempo Quartet in Westside Library

The Con Tempo string quartet started off the 2008 Children's Book Festival activities in Westside Library. They played to 3rd and 4th classes from Scoil Bhride National School, Shantalla on Wednesday 08 October.

The children and teachers were thrilled by the instruments, the musicians and the music. Everyone present learnt something new, some even 'played' the violin and cello.

Oranmore October Book Festival School Quiz

Oranmore Public Library recently organised it's annual school quiz during the October book festival. 17 teams of 4 (68) children took part, with Craughwell National School (left) coming out on top this year and Lisheenkyle N.S the unlucky runners-up.

John Joe McDonagh Exhibition at Galway City Library

The City Library in Augustine Street is a public space in the city. It is a public space without obligations which is open to anybody. It is a space where anyone is free to come in and sit and read. The library occasionally houses art exhibitions.

Currently on exhibition is the work of John Joe McDonagh.

John Joe McDonagh was born in Galway. He started painting on entering The Tech on Fr. Griffin Road as a student and has been painting since.

John Mulhern was John Joe’s first Art Teacher. John Joe has many fond memories of Mr. Mulhern and his early painting days. The first year in school John got him to enter the Caltex Art Competition and JJ was rewarded with first prize in the Under 16 section. His prize was a box of oil paints and paint brushes.

Painting became part of his life. It still plays a big part in his every day life and most of his waking hours are spent with brush in hand. You name it, JJ paints it.

Boats and the sea were his first themes; then it was mountains, hills and valleys, rivers and lakes and the delights of the seashore. He finds painting very therapeutic and gets a great buss from it. He is a great student of art and had taught at Cregal Art and in Ivors of Terryland.

The exhibition of his work which is currently on display in Galway City Library is the product of his rehabilitation after having a leg amputated.

The exhibition continues until October 31st. If you are in the city be sure to make your way to Augustine Street and see this exhibition.

European Mobility Week in Galway City Library

Cyclecraft, published by The Stationery Office, London, is the definitive guide to safe and enjoyable cycling for both adults and children. The book was launched in Galway City Library as part of European Mobility Week.

Photograph shows the author John Franklin presenting a copy to Tom Browne, Library Staff Officer.

John Franklin, is a consultant and registered Expert Witness on cycling skills and safety and was a member of the reference group that set up the National Standard in the UK.

Westside Library Summer Party 2008

Westside Library held two parties to celebrate the summer reading programme participants last Saturday 04 October.
380 children joined the reading programme in July. They were encouraged to read 7 books during the summer. To show they had read the books; they either wrote book reviews or drew alternative book covers or spoke to the staff about the books at the weekly meeting. Weekly winners were chosen from the book reviews and art.
All of the winners received a prize at Saturday’s parties.
70 children attended the first party which was kicked off with a blast of songs from DJ Mike. He soon had everyone including the parents and library staff up dancing! There were some funny movers on the dance floor. Over 80 children attended the second party which everybody enjoyed. What a better way to spend a wet afternoon than disco dancing at the library.

Galway Mobile Library's 'TEAM READ' Winners

Below are some of the winning entries of our Summer Reading Challenge 'Team Read' which was organised by our Mobile Library.
The first image is from the 8 to 10 years 'Design a T-Shirt' category by Rebecca Sweeney.

The drawing below this is from the Under 7 years 'Favourite Sport' category by Vivian Forde.

Below are two of the winning entries of our Summer Reading Challenge 'Team Read' Book Reviews.
The first entry is the winning review in the Under 7 years category of Soggy Saturday by Phyllis Root. This entry is by Kaitlyn Lyons.

The winner of the 8 to 10 years category is Amanda Forde's review of Soccer Star by Michael Hardcastle is below. (Click on the images enlarge them)

Our congratulations go to everyone who took part during the summer.

Ability West Exhibition in Tuam Library

An exhibition of artwork by Team Products/Ability West has been exhibited in Tuam Library recently.

Last March, ten members of Team Products/Ability West took part in an eight week art course with Galway based artist Jim Kavanagh who very kindly devoted his time and expertise free of charge.

This initiative was organized by Tuam Library as part of Library Ireland week.

The exhibition was launched on Thursday 25th September with members of Ability West, their families and friends present. Pat McDonagh, one of the artists declared the exhibition officially open.

All artists were thrilled to see their work exhibited.

Over 30 members of Team products/Ability West also attend the library each Friday morning for drama class, which they thoroughly enjoy.

Gort Team Read Award Party

The Team Read Award Ceremony and Party took place at Gort branch library on Saturday 6th September, 2008.

61 children received Team Read certificates having successfully completed the summer reading challenge at Gort library.
Proud parents and siblings joined in the party and admired the exhibition ofbook reviews written by the children. A great time was had by all

Photos show the lucky winner, age 7 of the Team Read Prize-draw who went home with a book token to the value of €50


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Culture Night at Galway City Library

Following the successful completion of Tanya McCrory's Galway Dance Residency, the County and City Arts Offices have initiated a Dance Library Collection in Galway City Library.
The collection of over 80 dvds and books on Dance was introduced and launched on Friday night September 19th at 6.30 pm.

The event formed part of Galway's first ever 'Culture Night' when all art and culture venues in the city remained open late.
The Galway City Library remained open until 10.00pm.

All-Ireland Poetry Day 2008 / Lá Filíochta Naísiúnta 2008

Poetry Ireland celebrates its 30th anniversary with a poetry reading in every county in Ireland on October 2nd, a date which will become All-Ireland Poetry Day for the future.

To mark the occasion, and to raise awareness of the richness and diversity of contemporary poetry in Ireland, a reading in every county in Ireland has been organised, in partnership with Arts Officers and individuals throughout the country (including Gaelteacht areas),
A reading in each county emphasises Poetry Ireland’s all-Ireland remit and the initiative means that a poetry event on October 2nd is within reach of almost everyone.

Mar chuid de cheiliúradh 30 bliain Éigse Éireann, beidh an eagras ag reachtáil ócáid filíochta i ngach contae sa tír an an dara lá de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair, 2008. Tá súil ag Éigse Éireann go dtiocfidh fás ar an ócáid seo, agus go neascrófar Lá Náisiúnta Filíochta ar an dáta seo sna blianta amach romhainn.

Tá Éigse Éireann 30 bliain d’aois i mbliana! Le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an ócáid stairiúil seo, agus chun aird a tharraingt ar saibhreas agus éagsúlacht na filíochta comhaimsearaí sa tír seo, tá Éige Éireann, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis na hoifigigh Ealaíona, chun ócáid filíochta a eagrú i ngach contae sa tír, na ceantair Ghaeltachta san áireamh.

For Poetry Day in Galway City and County, any member of the public will be free to visit anyone of the branch libraries listed below and read their favourite poem, or a poem they have written themselves. Each library will have a 15 minute slot for this purpose.

Here are the times:

Galway City Library: 1.30pm
Westside Library: 1.30 pm
Portumna Library: 7.30 pm
Tuam Library: 2.30 pm
Oranmore Library: 12.30pm
Inishbofin Library: 11.30am
Kilronan: 7.00pm
Gort Library: 4.30 pm
Headford Library: 7.00pm
Athenry Library: 5.45pm
Ballinasloe Library: 3.00pm
Inis Meain: 3.00pm