Summer Reading Challenge 2009 - “Quest Seekers” Report

The Summer Reading Challenge focuses on the joy and pleasure of reading. Studies by the OECD show that children who read for pleasure are more likely to do well than does who don’t. That is why for the last ten years Galway County Libraries have organised the Summer Reading Challenge throughout the County. “Quest Seekers, 2009” was very successful;

• 21 Branch Libraries participated in the Challenge
• 2,700 children joined the challenge
• The aim was to visit the Library regularly and read at least 6 books during the summer holidays.
• Children’s Issues July-- 185,323
• Children’s Issues August -- 211.697 (400,000) 1,800 Children completed the Challenge and were presented with Reading Certificates.

The Summer Reading Challenge was a great success. I would like to congratulate all the staff involved. You did a great job against the odds.
Many teachers and parents are very supportive of the Summer Reading Challenge. They comment on the confidence and pride of the children who are awarded the Reading Certs, also the improvement in their reading. Parents rediscover the joy and pleasure of reading with their children.
The Mayor of County Galway, Cllr Tom Mc Hugh presented the Reading Certificates in Tuam, Dunmore, Athenry, Ballinasloe and Killimor. Cllr Sean Kyne presented the Certificates in Spiddal Library. The Award Ceremonies are a great occasion, when children, parents and families get together in their local library to celebrate. The joy and happiness of the children is infectious and hopefully their joy and pleasure in reading, books and libraries will sustain them throughout their lives.

Contempo Quartet with the Sunus Chamber Choir in Galway City Library

The ConTempo Quartet and the Sunus Chamber Choir, under the direction of Audrey Corbett, performed a special Christmas lunchtime holiday concert at the Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street on Tuesday 8th of December.
The ConTempo Quartet are Galway County Council's musicians in residence, at the heart of a project to develop music in Galway. Throughout the past year they have presented workshops for school children, performed in Libraries throughout the county, worked with local artists and choirs, hosted chamber music workshops and a summer school for young musicians.

John Faulkner in Woodford Public Library

As part of the Galway City & County Musician in Residence programme John Faulkner will be performing in Woodford Library on Thursday 21st of January.
As usual, this event is free and open to all. The performances around the county will involve a particularly local focus, with songs from and about Galway. This programme has been devised as a first step towards reviving interest in local song, and in retrieving a repertoire of local songs that are fast passing from living memory. Galway in Song is organised in conjunction with Galway City & County Library Service.

Exhibition in Galway City Library

"Madame Pompom And The Chthonians" is the title of a new exhibition by Adrien Sourdot currently on show in the City Library.
The exhibition is made of two parts: "Madame Pompom" ideally is a concept of painting were lines and colours randomly miraculously creates patterns and figures. It features oil, ink, pastel and watercolour works of 'accidental figures'.

"The Chthonians" ( from the underworld ) : is the first part of a research about the elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether and done in acrylic, oil and plaster. It is about how to represent these elements as substance matter, spirit embodiement, symbols of the unity of soul and body, to at our interpretations and the associations we make of these.

Adrien was born in Epinal in France in 1980. He has performed as an actor, played in theatre from a young age. Learnt music by himself with flute, accordeon, saxophone and percussion... Traveled to Eastern Europe and West Africa and finished up in the West of Ireland 5 years ago...

The top two images are titled Nuclear Mind and Exploration. The bottom features Adrien (centre) and Galway Library staff.

Monthly Music Club in Loughrea Library

The Music Club, a group of local musicians and teachers, host a free concert of primarily classical music in Loughrea library on the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome, especially music students. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. The concert starts promptly at 7.00pm and ususally concludes at approximately 8.30pm.

Past guest performers have included the Loughrea Cathedral and Abbey adult choirs and the Galway Bass Trio. Broadcaster and author Liam Nolan has also given readings. Please check with the library to ensure that the concert is scheduled for a given month, as occasionally the group hosts a concert in another location... mailto:loughrea@galwaylibrary.ie ]
The next concert is scheduled for Sunday 7th February 2010, at 7pm in Loughrea Library.

January Over the Edge in Galway City Library

The first Over The Edge: Open Reading of 2010 takes place in Galway City Library on Thursday, January 21st, 6.30-8.00pm. The Featured Readers are Lisa Allen, Paul Conway & David Wheatley. This is a very special occasion as it is now exactly seven years since Over The Edge was born in Galway City Library in January 2003. The reading is sponsored by Poetry Ireland.
Lisa Allen is from Navan, but writes poetry anyway. Lisa studied English and Philosophy at University College, Dublin, and has also dabbled in drama. She has participated in poetry workshops with Kevin Higgins at Galway Arts Centre. Lisa was shortlisted for the “Over the Edge New Writer of the Year”in 2009 and is a finalist in the 2010 Cúirt Poetry Slam.
Paul Conway is a native of Dublin City. He moved to Galway in 2005, and, like a lot of people, was very fortunate to get stuck there. He works as a freelance video game artist, and in 2008 decided to try his hand at creative writing. He has attended classes with both Kevin Higgins and Susan Millar DuMars at the Galway Technical Institute. He was shortlisted in the 2009 Over The Edge New Writer of the Year Competition.
David Wheatley was born in Dublin in 1970 and now lives in Hull. He is the author of three collections with Gallery Press: Thirst (1997), Misery Hill (2000), and Mocker (2006), and has edited the poems of James Clarence Mangan for Gallery and of Samuel Beckett for Faber and Faber. He edited Metre magazine for many years with Justin Quinn.

As usual there will be an open-mic after the Featured Readers have finished. New readers are always most welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-6431748.