It's time for a #ReadingRevolution

The General Election has been called and Ireland is going to the polls on the 29th of November. As we face into a three week campaign, we’re calling for a #ReadingRevolution in the Irish education system. As part of that, we’re asking our members to talk to general election candidates about the value and benefits of reading for joy for children and young people.

Children’s Books Ireland knows that reading can be life-changing, so we want the next government to make a commitment to funding school libraries on a permanent and sustainable basis. We want bookshelves in schools around the country to be filled with excellent and inclusive books. School libraries benefit every pupil in a school and they represent a meaningful and impactful investment in children and young people’s futures in Ireland.

Giving every child in Ireland equitable access to brilliant books would be a powerful statement about the value of reading and of literature in Ireland, and this cost-effective investment could alter a child’s path in life by opening up opportunities that they may not have at home. This is your chance to speak up for children and young people all over Ireland who deserve to become readers and reap the endless benefits of reading for joy.

Every conversation can make a difference. Your voice and your vote count.

We want all the campaigning parties to make a commitment to school libraries for all schools in the next programme for government. You can read more about why we want the next government to support reading for joy in schools here.

Below, we’ve put together some questions that you can use to start conversations with canvassers and general election candidates.

Questions to ask candidates ahead of the General Election:

- Are you aware of Children’s Books Ireland’s campaign for a #ReadingRevolution, including sustainable funding for school libraries?

- How will your party ensure that every child has the same chance to become a reader and develop a love of reading for joy? Will you commit to making sure that every school in the country has a selection of books that are excellent, representative and current?

- Did you know that 757 schools applied to Children’s Books Ireland’s Book Gifting programmes in 2024 because there is no government funding available to help school provide excellent books for their pupils?  

- How will you help public libraries to build meaningful relationships with the schools in their area? (You could ask the candidate about making sure public libraries have the resources and funds they need to provide excellent books for primary and secondary schools, and that local schools are kept up to date about the library services they can access).

- Do you plan to make sure that children and young people in the constituency have more chances to get involved with the arts, by supporting local artists, writers, and illustrators to hold events, workshops, and school visits?

Thank you for helping us start meaningful conversations about the power of books and the #ReadingRevolution we need in Irish schools!

Contact our Education Outreach Manager, Becky Long on becky@childrensbooksireland.ie if you have any questions or if you'd like to tell us about how general election campaigning is going in your area.