LATEST: Kildare school to receive hundreds of free books

St Patrick’s N.S., Newbridge, Kildare has been announced as one of the recipients of a book-gifting programme which will bring hundreds of new books and resources to its students in 2026.

Designed by national charity and arts organisation Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme is a year-long support provided to select schools which helps to foster a love of reading in their students and wider school community.

As part of this project, each school will have their own dedicated Champion of Reading, an author or illustrator assigned to the school who will host a series of live workshops throughout the year with students.

These creative and engaging sessions will help promote a love of reading, writing and illustrating amongst class groups.

Delivered by the team at Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child a Reader’ programme will bring a diverse collection of excellent contemporary titles to students in 28 primary schools this year, including St Patrick’s NS.

Through this initiative Children’s Books Ireland provides schools with a library of 250 books covering all ages, interests, genres and issues which represent the richness and diversity of Irish society. As well as hundreds of brilliant new books, chosen schools will receive supports and resource packs as well as bookmarks, bunting and stickers to celebrate their new library books.

READ NEXT; No school places for 30 children in this Kildare town. 

Other materials such as curated reading guides, lists and further guidance will also be given to schools and families to encourage a love of reading that endures beyond the school gates.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be chosen as one of the participating schools in the Every Child a Reader Programme this year. We have recently opened a new extension to our school, which has afforded us the opportunity to set up a dedicated library space. The brand new selection of books and support from Children’s Books Ireland has already

generated a great buzz and enthusiasm for reading here in St Patrick’s. It is so important to have a new selection of books that reflects the lives and experiences of our community. These books really are the best of the best.

Our Champion of Reading, Molly Harris, has also begun her workshops and class visits, sharing her experiences as a reader and author and instilling her love of literacy throughout our school community.” - Stephen Lynch, Home School Community Liason and Literacy Co-ordintor for St Patrick’s N.S.

Given the lack of sustainable funding for school libraries from the Irish government, it is unsurprising to see a demand for free book-gifting programmes such as ‘Every Child A Reader’ for primary students and ‘Everyone A Reader’ for secondary students. In 2025, Children’s Books Ireland received over 1,000 applications from primary and secondary schools for the limited number of spaces for the book-gifting programmes commencing in 2026. Of 907 applications received from primary schools only 28 of these could be selected to receive the support provided through the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme.

According to Education and Advocacy Manager, Dr. Becky Long, the volume of submissions was, “evidence of the tremendous level of need, both in relation to a lack of physical books in schools, and a lack of new, contemporary and inclusive books.”

Children’s Books Ireland believes that every student on the island of Ireland deserves access to books and a chance to fall in love with reading.

This Spring, Children’s Books Ireland’s various book-gifting programmes will be launched in 39 different schools, bringing the power of stories to primary and secondary schools across the island of Ireland. 

Learn more about the work of Children’s Books Ireland on www.childrensbooksireland.ie