Youth Libraries Group, generally known as the YLG, is an active Group within the Library Association of Ireland. It aims to promote books for children and young people, reading activities and library services to young people through various programmes.
The Group organises seminars, workshops and lectures on themes relating to children’s books and children’s libraries.
Chairperson: Martina Needham (Offaly County Libraries)
Vice Chairperson: Emma Doran
Secretary: Karen McCague
Assistant Secretary: Kayleigh Murphy
Treasurer: Trish Nolan
Assistant Treasurer: Katie Dickson
PRO: Ciara McGurl
YLG Network Rep: Theresa McNally
Committee: Noelle Sandilands; Kathleen Moran
Aishling Smith, Amye Quigley, Aoife Kerr, Catherine Lee, Dearbhla Sheridan, Dolores Casey, Edel Scally, Jacqueline Kennedy, Kay McCormack, Loretta Rose, Maire Browne, Mary Luttrell, Michelle Brennan, Niamh Ennis, Samantha Morrisey
We are delighted to announce that after a hugely successful seminar series in 2021, our Youth Libraries Group ‘Recommending with Confidence’ series is back for 2022.
Due to the uncertain situation we find ourselves, our seminar series will once again take place online via Crowdcast. This year’s programme will explore topics such as Bibliotherapy for children, LGBT awareness,
Creative Writing, Book Clubs and supporting Class visits. Download the brochure.
Online tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.
Tickets cost €100 and will provide access to all 5 seminars. Each ticket will allow access on a maximum of 3 devices. You may wish to give individual access to 3 people or set-up shared viewing in 3 locations.
If online booking is a problem for your authority, please contact us at ylg@libraryassociation.ie and we can arrange for payment via Invoice.
Wednesday 19th January @ 9:30am
Bibliotherapy for Children Children’s Books Ireland have done incredible work on their recent ‘Mind Yourself’ and ‘Free to be me’ recommended reading guides. Both of which feature an extensive range of books dealing with issues facing children & young people. Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland will join us to talk about the reading guides and how they can be used by Library staff. We will also be joined by Darina Molloy from Mayo Libraries who will discuss the practical uses of bibliotherapy through their ‘Book Magic’ project.
Wednesday 26th January @ 9:30am
Supporting LGBTQI+ Youth Collette O’Regan from LGBT Ireland will join us for an awareness session looking at topics such the terminology used around the community, common issues that arise for young LGBTQI+ people, how we could support them within our libraries and an overview of services available that we can direct young people to. This will be followed by a short presentation by Karen Mc Cague from Monaghan Libraries on their recent ‘Rainbow Bag’ initiative.
Wednesday 2nd February @ 9:30am Fighting Words
‘Fighting Words’ was first established in 2009 by Roddy Doyle and Séan Lowe. The vision of Fighting Words is simple – to give children and young people the opportunity to discover and harness the power of their own imaginations and creative writing skills. As well as having their own dedicated centre in Dublin, Fighting Words have been running workshops in Schools and Libraries across the Country in recent years. During this session we will learn more about the Fighting Words programme as well as hear from Mila Taylor who has collaborated with Fighting Words to deliver Young Adult Festival in DLR Libraries.
Wednesday 9th February @ 9:30am
Book Clubs for Children & Young People Book Clubs for children & young people can be hugely beneficial for the participants but a daunting task for library staff. How do we get them interested? How do we choose the books? How do we get them to talk openly at book club meetings? To help answer some of these questions we’ve rounded up library staff from across school & public libraries to share their knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. We’ll be joined by Peadar Cassidy from St. Kevin’s College, Patricia Blommerde from New Ross Library (Dyslexia book Club) and Mairead Buckley from Fingal Libraries (YA Book Club, Swords).
Wednesday 16th February @ 9:30am
Supporting Class Visits – Scottish Book Trust The webinar will take library staff through practical tips and tools for engaging children with books and encouraging participation, including how to build your confidence and run a class visit in your setting. The session will also include examples of best practice from libraries in Scotland and showcase reading recommendations for 8-12 year olds that engage both reluctant and keen readers.
All sessions will take place on the Crowdcast Platform and will last approximately 1 hour. Q&A will follow each presentation.
Links will be sent to those who make the booking in advance.
Booking via Eventbrite.