Calling All Early Learning and Care Centres!

Published on 27th May 2021

Little Little bags

4,500 Early Learning and Care settings, including registered childminders, are to receive free book bags under the First 5 Little Library Initiative. The project aims to support the development of little libraries in early learning and care settings and encourage a love of books and reading among our youngest children.

The first 5 Little Library Bags are now available from your local Library. 

Little Library Bags have 5 books and information about your local library and what’s on offer for you there. There’s no need for you to do anything - your local library will contact you to arrange your collection. Let’s all work together to share a love of the joy and fun of reading together. 

The project is a collaboration between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). €650,000 has been provided for the project from DCEDIY and DRCD. 

The First 5 Little Library Initiative will:

  • Distribute a selection of books and resources to all early learning and care services, through the national network of libraries;
  • Ensure this selected collection of books is also held in libraries which can be loaned out to young children and their families;
  • Encourage membership and use of the library network among early learning and care services and among young children and their families;
  • Support the early learning and care services and families in use of this resource;
  • Encourage ongoing collaboration between the early learning and care services and libraries and support families in establishing or developing the practice of reading.