A project in primary schools in west Co Sligo as part of the National Reading Initiative is aiming to examine how children's attitudes to reading can change.
Pupils at six small rural schools who do not have easy access to town libraries have been chosen to take part in the scheme, which aims to help children see reading as a fun activity rather than a chore. More than 2,500 new books have been bought.
Over the course of the 10-week project, run by Sligo County Library, a schools library van will visit once a week. Up to now, it would have visited about once a year. Project librarian Ms Pauline Brennan says the project is focusing on 10- to 12-year-olds because research has shown this is a critical period where "falling off" is likely to occur.
A study is also being done to evaluate how the children's attitudes change. There are 110 pupils taking part and it has already been found that boys are much more likely to have negative attitudes than girls.
Initial reader profiles found that while 25 per cent were not very enthusiastic about reading, 10 children really disliked the idea and never took up a book by choice. Of these 10, nine were boys. Ms Brennan says boys often say they can't find anything they like and tend to ask for books on sport. One aim will be to encourage them to try different books.
She believes the combination of all the new books and other related fun activities she is organising could make a difference. "Children can also encourage each other to read, and most of them are so enthusiastic about the project. Normally the van hasn't even pulled in and they are all running out to meet it," she says.
Three popular children's authors - Tom McCaughren, Aislinn O'Loughlin and Siobh an Parkinson - will visit the schools and there are also guest lectures for parents on how to encourage children to read. Dr Fidelma Healy-Eames, a lecturer in literacy at Mary Immaculate College, is among the speakers.
The schools taking part are in Easkey, Owenbeg, Killeen duff, Kilrusheighter, Highpark and Ballinlig. The project will run until Easter and Ms Brennan hopes it could eventually be extended.