Right to Read
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Draft motion

Name ............................
Calls on this Council to include the following proposals in the Development
Plan, all Local Action plans and making them an integral part of the annual estimates

1. Library Service

  • Increase the number of activities in libraries to promote reading
  • Increase opening hours, especially in the evenings after school
  • Establish a six day a week service in every library and move towards a seven day a week service in main libraries
  • Ensure that all libraries publish community outreach plans and work in partnership with schools and community groups to maximise participation in library activities

2. Homework Clubs

  • Councils to identify local authority estates where homework clubs could be established.
  • Council Community Development section to staff and deliver a quality homework club service within the community.
  • Council Housing Department to oversee the development of the service and to source funding from other agencies if necessary

3. Housing Policy

  • The eradication of educational disadvantage to be enshrined in the mission statement of the council development plan
  • Social / Affordable housing provided by the council or given permission by the council must have space to fit a quiet study area for a child to do their homework or read for recreation.
  • Housing policy on local authority estates must also facilitate homework clubs by making community rooms available for this purpose.
  • Apartment size guidelines to promote reading and learning in the home

4. Parental  Empowerment

  • Introduction of a 'Baby Loves Books' Scheme where literacy packs are given to young parents through local community crèches in conjunction with other state agencies and also to initiate family literacy courses for parents through the library service
  • Introduction of 'Family Learning through Sport' Scheme where sports development officers initiate a sports coaching course based on the Sunderland FC / Dublin Docklands Development Authority model where parents and children are engaged in a course which focuses on parenting skills and literacy through the medium of sport.
  • Libraries to stock publications in relation to various earning difficulties and to facilitate parents in learning more about their children's conditions and how to help.