Galway Best Library Service 2011

At the recent Chamber's Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, Councillor Michael Maher, Mayor of the County of Galway accepted, on behalf of Galway County Council, the Best Library Service Award 2011 from Mr. Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. This is the second year in row Galway Libraries have won this award.

The mission of Galway County Libraries is to inspire more people to read more. Based on this, Galway County Libraries, in association with The Reading Agency (UK), has been running a Summer Reading Programme since 2006. This years Summer Reading Programme was themed: Nurturing Literacy and the Imagination

Each June children are invited to register for the programme at their local library where they receive a membership card/log card and other information. The programme is not competitive: children read at their own pace with the emphasis being on enjoyment, exploring different authors and genres, enabling the child to become a confident and discerning reader. Participation is free. As “Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible”: Galway County libraries have a key role to play in encouraging a love of books and reading.

Photographed left-to-right are: Eugene Cummins, Director of Services, Galway County Council, Councillor Michael Maher, Mayor of the County of Galway, Maureen Moran, Senior Executive Librarian, Galway County Council, Pat McMahon, County Librarian, Galway County Council.