READ LK aims to encourage reading by inviting everyone to read the same book, in the same place in a collective reading conscious which can help community and literacy.  Based on the worldwide ‘One Book, One Community’ project, the goal is to encourage reading across all ages and communities in the Letterkenny area.  It was launched this week by Letterkenny native and Ireland’s first Children’s Laureate Siobhan Parkinson.  So, come on Letterkenny pick up “Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cats, One Witch” and get reading!

Read LK is an imaginative project that can take you anywhere you want to go .... in your imagination, that is.  Based on the worldwide ‘One Book, One community’ it aims to bring local people together through reading and discussing the same book.  The idea is to get as many people in Letterkenny reading one book from the same author, at the same time.  Read LK is organised by Letterkenny Educate Together National School, Errigal College, Letterkenny Library, Letterkenny Town Council along with local agencies, business and communities.

READ LK was launched this week by Siobhan Parkinson, a Letterkenny native and the first Irish Children’s Laureate and well known children’s writer, and town Mayor, Cllr Gerry McMonagle.  FOUR KIDS, THREE CATS, TWO COWS, ONE WITCH (MAYBE) has been chosen to be the One Book to read over the next 5 weeks.  Speakers at the launch included Donna Quinn, Senior Executive Manager of Donegal County Council Library Services, and Cllr Noel McBride, Mayor of Donegal.  Earlier, Siobhan Parkinson gave a talk at LYIT about her role as Children’s Laureate and provided practical advice to the audience. 

One of the organisers Máire McManus from Letterkenny Educate Together explains, “This project has already been successfully held across the world and in other towns in Ireland.  It’s proven to build a sense of community whilst also promoting literacy and encouraging everyone to read.  From a school’s perspective we are encouraging children and their families to read and discuss the book, along with supporting activities held in schools, libraries and in the community over the next 5 weeks.”

Eileen Maguire, Errigal College, says there’s lots of ways to get involved, “First thing is to read the book and there are plenty available in the Central Library in Letterkenny but they will also be available in Easons and Sprint Education Supplies.  Anyone who borrows the book from the Central Library or buys it from local suppliers will receive a badge and we would encourage them to wear it during the 5 weeks.  There’s a Facebook page and we would invite photos and comments whilst reading the book.  Anyone over 18 can also enter a creative writing competition which will be judged by O’Brien Press and we will also be running an art competition within the two schools.  All the information on competitions and events will be on our Facebook page ‘READ LK’ or you can email us at readlk2012@gmail.com.”

Photo caption:
Get reading FOUR KIDS, THREE CATS, TWO COWS, ONE WITCH (MAYBE), Letterkenny.  READ LK an initiative to inspire young and old alike to read which was officially launched this week.
Seated:  Ray Bonar; Paddy Hannigan, Schools Completion Coordinator; and Siobhan Parkinson, Author and Irish Children's Laureate.
Back:  Roisin McCormack, Learning Support Specialist, LYIT; John Andy Bonar, Head of Development, LYIT; Máire McManus, Educate Together; Billy Bennett, Registrar, LYIT; and Eileen Maguire, Errigal College.
[Photo: Clive Wasson]

USEFUL LINKS
READ LK Channel