Social Inclusion Week celebrated in Gort Library

Many events are taking throughout the county this celebrating Social Inclusion Week. Gort Library– Launched an Arts & Crafts Exhibition by The Orchard Services Centre recently.

• Celebrating the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010 has been designated the EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
  There are four main objectives at the heart of this European Year:
  Recognising the right of people in poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society
  Increasing public ownership of social inclusion policies and emphasising everyone’s responsibility in tackling poverty and marginalisation
  Creating a more cohesive society where no one doubts that society, as a whole, benefits from the eradication of poverty

Prize-giving in Athenry, Tuam and Ballinasloe

Councillor Jimmy McClearn, Mayor of County Galway presenting Summer Reading Challenge Certificates in Ballinasloe Library (left)


Councillor Sally-Ann Flanagan, Mayor of Tuam at prize-giving in Tuam Library







Deputy Mayor of County Galway, Cllr. Jim Cuddy, presenting Summer Reading Certificates in Athenry Library (left)

Wind Energy...Ballinasloe, Carraroe and Westside libraries

The Europe Direct Information Centre at Ballinasloe Library together with Europe Direct Carraroe are jointly hosting a soapbox competition on 'Wind Energy...the future or just a blot on the landscape'. with the above title at Westside Library in Galway City on Monday, November 1st next At 8pm.

Energy is one of the priorities of the European Commission and wind energy is a topical subject...the soapbox is open to all ages, it is free to enter and the closing date for entries is on Friday,22nd October. The winner of the Galway heat will go forward to the National Final at Farmleigh, Dublin on 19th November next.

Entrants will be given 3 minutes each to speak on the subject and the winner will receive an iPad and a trip to Brussels for two people, second prize is 200 Euro with a third prize of 100 Euro.there is a 1,000 Euro prize for the National winner.
Marian Harkin, MEP, will chair the evenings proceedings and refreshments will be available on the night. 3 people, all of whom have a background in or work in the specialized area of wind energy will make up the judging panel on the night and their decision will be final.
There are 8 Europe Direct Centres in Ireland and they were launched by the European Commission in partnership with the Library Council of Ireland to create a network of accessible, local information centres around Ireland.

Entry forms are available from all public libraries and also online at www.europedirect.ie.
Entries must be made in advance and close on Friday,22nd October
We invite as many people as possible to support this event.

Social Inclusion Week in Galway Libraries

17th – 22nd Oct has been designated Social Inclusion Week in Ireland. The week is being coordinated by the Social Inclusion Unit of Galway County Council. The Mayor, Cllr Jimmy Mc Clearn will launch the week in County Hall on Monday 17th Oct. 2010 @ 1pm

There are 29 Branch Libraries in the County working with their local communities all through the year. All are welcome in Libraries and nobody is found wanting.

Some services that may be of interest.
‘Getting Started’ Age Action Computer Classes take place in Branch Libraries throughout the County. Classes are free. Contact your local library.
Audio Book Service for Visually Impaired. Books on CD and Tape are posted free of charge to people with a visual impairment. More information is available from Library Headquarters, Island House. Phone 091 562471

There are a number of events taking place in Libraries during Social Inclusion Week.

Gort Library
The film 'Milk' will be shown on Thursday
14th Oct @ 8pm in conjunction with the Gort Family Resource Centre.
A display of arts and crafts by clients of the Brothers of Charity Orchard Services Centres in South Galway will take place from Friday 15th Oct – 25th Oct.
The ‘Six Book Challenge for Adults’ will be launched on Thursday 21st Oct @ 11.30.
The six book challenge is an incentive scheme for adults who have been out of the habit of reading and want to regain confidence in reading.

Loughrea Library
A Cultural Storytelling Evening.
Youth Work Ireland, Loughrea Project, will hold an evening of storytelling, from different cultures on Tuesday 19th Oct from 4pm – 6pm.
Youth Work Ireland will host a film & quiz night for teenagers on Wednesday
19th Oct from 4 – 6pm.
The work of the Parent and Youth Programme at St Brendan’s Centre of Education and Training will be on display in Loughrea Library for the week.

Tuam Library
Cups and Crowns Theatre will perform ‘Benny , the Waterdaughter ‘ in Tuam Library on Tuesday 19th from 10.30- 11.30
The Ladybird Club takes place in Tuam Library each Thursday morning from 10.00 -11. 00.
The PEEP Programme is for mothers/carers and babies. It offers information and support in helping children learn and develop.

Oranmore Library
Cups and Crowns Theatre will perform ‘Benny , the Waterdaughter ‘ Oranmore Library on Wednesday 20th Oct from 10.30- 11.30.

Carraroe Library
Residents from Aras Mhic Dara and older people from the area will visit Carraroe Library to view 'Generations Together’ an exhibition of photographs from the Age Action Positive Ageing Photography Competition on Tuesday 19th Oct from 11 – 1pm. Light Refreshments will be served.

Arts Festival in Clifden Library

John Sheahan of the Dubliners performing in Clifden Library as part of the Clifden Community Arts Festival, (left).
Poets, Tony Curtis, Enrique Juncosa and Michael Coady in the library with John Sheahan at one of the many poetry evenings during the festival.

Storytelling Festival in Galway Public Libraries – October 2010

Galway County Libraries are celebrating Children’s Book Festival during the month of October, with a Storytelling Festival in conjunction with the Arts Office, Galway County Council.

The love of stories is universal. Before the advent of writing and printing stories were used to pass on information, preserve traditions etc. Time has moved on and we live in a very visual technical world, but the art of storytelling is alive and well. The magic of Once upon a time… can still weave a spell for all of us.
During the month of October, storytellers will roam the County delighting children with their fantastic and magical stories. Stories that will amuse, entertain and encourage children to explore the world in all its wonder and diversity. The storytellers will be in residence in the 29 Branch Libraries dotted throughout the County, working in conjunction with the local schools. The Festival is funded by the Arts Office of Galway County Council.

Jay Ryan, Pignut Puppet Theatre Company and Midi Corcoran Earwig Theatre Company will host events in Libraries in the Tuam region, Tuam, Dunmore, Glenamaddy, Ballygar, Athenry and Headford.

Niall de Burca, Pete Mullineaux , Rob Fulton and Carol Barrett are in the City Library, Westside, Ballybane and Oranmore Libraries.

Pat Speight, Jay Ryan and Danielle Allison will tell stories in Ballinsloe, Killimor, Eyrecourt, Woodford and Loughrea Libraries.

Jonathan Gunning will delight audiences in Athenry, Headford, Clifden Gort and Tuam.

Jean Parker will weave stories with younger audiences in Oughterard, Headford, Leenane and Clifden.

Beidh Gwyneth Ui Ghaora, údar agus scéaltóir i Leabharlann na Ceathrun Rua, an Spideal agus Oileain Arainn.

Culture Night in Galway City Library

The Nordic group, Cafe Minor (left), playing in Galway City Library on Friday evening September 24th as part of Culture Night in the City.

Part of the attendance enjoying the poetry and music of Finland as part of Culture Night in Galway City Library.

Positive Ageing Week in Ballybane Library

The Mayor of Galway, Councillor Michael Crowe speaking at the launch of Positive Ageing Week 2010 in Ballybane Library.

Positive Ageing Week is a festival which highlights the positive aspects of ageing and celebrates the contribution older people have made and continue to make to their communities.
The central aim of Positive Ageing Week is to dispel the many negative perceptions that surround ageing and to transform attitudes towards ageing and older people. We need to celebrate the fact that we are living longer, that ageing is not a burden but an opportunity.