AQW 28219/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 05/06/2025
Answered On Date: 18/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to outline what actions he is taking to promote the benefits of early reading.

Answer:

This issue is an operational matter for Libraries NI.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

‘Libraries NI’s Reading and Reader Development Strategy 2024-27 aims to foster a love of reading, to promote the benefits of reading and enhance the reading experience for people of all ages.

Libraries NI promotes the benefits of early reading through outreach work such as class visits and collaborative working with the Department of Education. There are also a number of initiatives delivered by Libraries NI including:

Libraries NI Learning Hub and Kids Hub

School Preparedness webpage

Rhythm and Rhyme

Storyteller in Residence and Storytime

The Big Summer Read’