Dublin librarian Patricia Campbell receives wins Children's Books Ireland Annual Award 2026
Patricia Campbell has been awarded for the 2026 Annual Children’s Books Ireland Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to children’s reading, storytelling and library life across Dublin.
The announcement was made at the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference last weekend and recognised Campbell’s dedication throughout her 28-year career with Dublin City Council Libraries.
Through book-themed events, storytelling sessions and countless imaginative activities, Campbell worked tirelessly to encourage children of all ages to love reading. Cathy McKenna, who worked with Campbell in Walkinstown Library, says that “Patricia’s enthusiasm for encouraging children to read was boundless.”, recounting Campbell’s much-loved “toolbox” - an enormous bag filled with her go-to books, props and storytelling treasures which were used to enhance storytime.
Gillian Colton, who also worked with Campbell in Walkinstown Library, notes the impact Campbell had not only on children and families but also on her fellow librarians, offering training on planning children's events and storytelling sessions. Colton saw firsthand how encouraging Campbell was to her colleagues, with an eagerness to share and help those new to the library or encountering storytime for the first time.
During the Award announcement, Patricia Campbell was surprised to be joined by her family who were made aware of this award nomination in the previous weeks, and had all gathered together to be with him and celebrate the deserved win. On accepting the award, Campbell spoke of the joy the job had brought her, stating; “It’s just the best job in the world”. When asked about how to keep storytime engaging for young people, Campbell said; “I think you have to bring the books to life, you have to tell the story rather than read it”.
Campbell was nominated by primary school teacher and Book Doctor with Children's Books Ireland, Liz Loughnane, who first met Campbell in her classroom in 2015. Loughnane recalls Campbells enthusiasm for children’s literature and eagerness to offer up her skills and expertise, remembering; “She told me she was a librarian with Dublin City Council Libraries and went on to volunteer her time on more than one occasion, coming in to read to the children in our school. Her rendition of Dirty Bertie is legendary!”. Loughnane and Campbell would go on to cross paths many times over the years at the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference, Campbell never missing an opportunity to share what books she was reading for storytime.
"Patricia's commitment to reading and her creative energy meant she filled every library she worked in with children. Her sense of fun and her irrepressible enthusiasm for books inspired a love of reading and libraries across Dublin.”
- Gillian Colton, Divisional Librarian responsible for Dublin Central Library Services and Special Projects
After 28 years of storytime, events and sharing her passion for children’s books, Patricia Campbell retired from Dublin City Council Libraries last year. Retirement, however, has not marked the end of her involvement in children’s books. This September, Campbell will begin the M.Phil in Children’s Literature at Trinity College Dublin, where she will bring with her almost three decades of experience connecting children with books, stories and libraries.
