Books are windows on the world for children, enabling them to see and experience the lives of others, which may be very different from their own - or surprisingly similar.

Galway City and County is increasingly diverse, with many different nationalities living, working and integrating with its population and making new lives for themselves and their families. Galway  Libraries would like to provide books which are accessible to everyone and touch on subjects in an open and non-judgemental way. A list of 25 books will be compiled which will include stories of Syrian refugees, student protestors, of wartime evacuees and economic migrants, of teenagers with autism and families with same sex parents...many lives will be represented.

Five collections of the listed books will be purchased which will be available for borrowing or to be enjoyed in the library by everyone. Class novels will also be acquired to be used in ten primary schools alongide workhops which will be held by the authors to educate school, library staff and children on the potential of these books.

He/She will also work with groups of children to 'create a nation'. Children will have the opportunity to work together to decide what their country will look like, language, food, laws, etc thus giving empowerment to create their own ideal nation and offering them a greater understanding of the world and people around them.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.