Collect your free bag of children’s books at your local library

To help children navigate starting school, Libraries Ireland has put together a free bag of books and resources that can be collected from library branches through County Louth.

The ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ initiative is a collaboration between libraries, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of the First 5 Strategy.

‘My Little Library Book Bag’ is available free for every child starting school in 2025 to help them prepare for this big step. Children and their parents or guardians can collect the bags at any Louth Library branch.

Book bags are available in both Irish and English, and each bag contains:

• A book on starting school and a second book on making friends or being comfortable being yourself.
• Their very own library card and special ‘My Little Library’ cardholder.
• A range of resources for parents/children to support the transition to primary school, including a copy of the Rufus Handwashing Storybook.

Amanda Branigan, Acting Louth County Librarian, said “Library staff are looking forward to welcoming all the four, five and six-year-old children to collect their book bags and begin their library membership journey. We hope that once they visit the library to pick up their book bag, our new library members and their families will come back regularly to borrow and to take part in story times, classes and all the other events we have to offer at the library.”

You can collect your FREE bag at the Louth Library Service at:

• Dundalk Library, Roden Place, Dundalk, A91 RC44
• Drogheda Library, Stockwell Lane, Drogheda, A92 PY20
• Ardee Library, Market Square, Ardee, A92 XH22
• Carlingford Library, Newry St. Carlingford A91 N226
• Dunleer Library, Main St, Dunleer, A92 DRV0

Email: Libraryhelpdesk@louthcoco.ie with any queries.