READ DL, based on the worldwide ‘One Book, One Community’ project, began life in 2012 as READ LK, aiming to create an awareness of reading and to promote literacy in the Letterkenny community. Soon after in 2014, the Initiative expanded to the whole county of Donegal, leading to the creation of READ DL.
The target groups of the initiative include senior classes in primary schools, first year students in post-primary schools and adults re-discovering the love of reading.
The book chosen each year determines the events and activities for that year. Events to date have included: a 500 word themed short story competition, local mystery readers vising schools, storytelling workshops for parents, animation workshops in schools, giant table quizzes, and drama workshops … just to name a few!
Overall, READ DL’s continuing purpose is to remind us about the joy of reading for all the family, as well as to encourage our local communities to read.
Read DL is a multi-agency committee that includes: Home School Community Liaison coordinators from Errigal College, Letterkenny Educate Together National School, Donegal Educational Training Board Learning for Living, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Donegal County Council Library Service. We also have two retired members from Errigal College and Donegal Educational Training Board; both are still working as dedicated members of our team.