All children in South Dublin County who are starting primary school in September are being invited to visit their local library to pick up a free book bag and take the opportunity to join the library.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, T.D., together with Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, T.D., today announced the launch of this year’s My Little Library free book bag for almost 60,000 children starting primary school.
The My Little Library initiative 2026 is expected to lead to tens of thousands of families picking up their book bags and joining their local library.
Since its launch, an average of 20,000 4–5-year-olds have joined their local libraries annually.
The books and resources in the book bag, which is available in both English and ‘as Gaeilge’, support children and their parents in the transition to primary school.
From 11th of May 2026, all children completing the universal Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library and pick up a free book bag.
The bags will be available throughout the summer. All families will be invited to join the library if they are not already members.
Minister Foley said she was pleased to announce the 2026 My Little Library initiative.
“I’m really pleased to announce the launch of the free My Little Library book bags for all children in South Dublin County who will be starting primary school later this year.
“I really do encourage all their families to pick up their child’s free book bag in their local library.
“The books are available as Gaeilge and as Bearla.
“Tá rud ann do gach duine.
“The books are available in both English and Irish so there really is something for every-one.
“This is also a great opportunity for young people to join their local library and indeed enjoy the wonder and the gift of reading.”
Minister Buttimer said today: “I warmly welcome the launch of the My Little Library Initiative 2026.
“I’ve visited so many libraries around the country in the last year, and I know that our public library staff nationwide share my enthusiasm for connecting young children and their families with our excellent national library service.
“I must acknowledge their hard work in delivering this initiative. We are very lucky in Ireland that every child has access to books and stories through their local library.
“This initiative is a lovely way of helping parents support their children with their tran-sition to primary school and their learning and development.”
Chair of The Public Library Reading and Literacy Working Group and County Librari-an, Maedbh Rogan McGann said:
“We’re delighted to welcome children and families into their local library through the My Little Library initiative, supporting children in the big life step of starting school.
“It’s a lovely opportunity for young children to discover the joy of reading, feel at ease in their local library and begin a positive relationship with books from an early age.
“Reading opens up a world of fun, imagination and opportunity for children, laying the foundations for skills that will support them throughout their lives.
“Our libraries are friendly, welcoming spaces, and we encourage families to pop in over the summer, explore what’s on offer and enjoy reading together.”
Find your nearest local library here: https://www.librariesireland.ie/local-libraries