Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Service has announced the return of its popular Summer Stars Reading Programme, offering children across the county a free and enjoyable way to maintain their reading skills throughout the school holidays.

The non-competitive initiative welcomes children of all ages and reading abilities, from those taking their first steps into independent reading to confident bookworms. Participants can select from a wide range of materials including picture books, graphic novels, audiobooks, and e-books available through the Borrowbox App.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Caroll welcomed the programme’s return, saying:

“Encouraging children to read for enjoyment helps build imagination and confidence. The Summer Stars programme is all about keeping reading joyful and accessible for every child and is particularly helpful for new readers. Parents and guardians are invited to visit their local library branch to register.”

The programme provides practical support to young readers, with library staff on hand to offer guidance. Each participant receives an activity book and bookmarks, along with a certificate of completion once they achieve their reading goal.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell emphasised the long-term benefits:

“Supporting children’s literacy is an investment in their future. Our Library Service aims to support children in building strong reading habits from an early age and programmes such as Summer Stars develop lifelong readers through positive, early experiences with books. We’re proud to support this national initiative that provides an enjoyable learning experience for families throughout the county.”

Summer Stars runs from the beginning of June through the end of August, coinciding with the school holidays when maintaining reading momentum can be challenging. The programme is part of a national initiative coordinated through Ireland’s public library network.

Parents and guardians can register their children at any local library branch. For additional activities, recommended reading lists, and helpful reading tips, families can visit the Libraries Ireland website at www.librariesireland.ie.