Story Lab Reading Challenge!

The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Veronica Cawley has commended the children who participated in Sligo Central Library’s ‘Story Lab’ Reading Challenge. ‘Any initiative which encourages and supports young people’s interest in reading is to be welcomed, and I would like to pay tribute to County Librarian Donal Tinney and the staff of Sligo Central Library for co-ordinating this programme.’


Over 300 children in County Sligo joined the Story Lab Reading Challenge, many of whom convened in Sligo Central Library recently for a presentation ceremony. Certificates and medals were presented to the children by the Cathaoirleach Councillor Cawley and Deputy Mayor of Sligo Councillor Matt Lyons.

Children aged 4 to 11 were invited to read six books over the summer. They were given a pack when they joined and had stickers to collect on the way. The theme of Story Lab was a celebration of story and the imagination. Co-ordinated by The Reading Agency, this summer’s Reading Challenge ran in public libraries throughout the UK and Ireland, and had a link to the 2012 Olympics.

Deputy Mayor Lyons said this was the latest in a series of excellent projects delivered by the Library Service. ‘I have had the honour of attending many events at Sligo Central Library over the years, it is always a welcoming and pleasant environment, and it was heartening to see so many youngsters take up the ‘Reading Challenge’ with such enthusiasm.’

Twenty seven schools from County Sligo took part in the challenge, and there was even a ‘guest participant’, a young Celbridge girl in the North West on her holidays.