Inspiring Thousands of Young Minds Through Online Learning Events
Libraries NI continues to open doors for children across Northern Ireland through a programme of online events that connects schools directly with authors, illustrators, storytellers and science communicators.
Over the past two years, more than 17,600 children and teachers have taken part, joining live from classrooms and homes across Northern Ireland for storytelling, draw-along workshops and interactive science activities delivered as part of major initiatives including World Book Day, Empathy Day, Good Relations Week and the Northern Ireland Science Festival.
By delivering these sessions online, Libraries NI makes it possible for schools of every size and location to take part. Teachers and pupils can join directly from their classrooms, allowing thousands of children to meet authors, hear stories and take part in creative activities together.
Photo: Author and illustrator Clive McFarland presents an online interactive drawing and story session
The programme has featured well-known authors and illustrators including Clive McFarland, Paddy Donnelly, Ashwin Chacko and Johnathan Sung, alongside multicultural storytelling with Masako Carey and hands-on science workshops led by Dr Jo as part of the Northern Ireland Science Festival.
Photo: Author and illustrator, Paddy Donnelly
Feedback from teachers shows just how valuable these opportunities are for schools. For many, the sessions provide experiences that would otherwise be difficult to organise.
One teacher from a small rural school explained:
“We are a small school and could not afford to pay an author or illustrator to provide a session like this in our school, so it was amazing to get the chance to join today.”
Teachers also highlighted the excitement pupils felt at meeting authors and taking part in the creative activities themselves.
“My class really loved it and were so engaged throughout. They were so delighted to meet a real author and learn from him.”
Through initiatives like these, Libraries NI is helping ensure that children across Northern Ireland can experience the joy of stories, creativity and discovery — no matter where they live.
By bringing inspiring speakers and creative learning directly into classrooms and homes, these online events continue to make a difference for schools, teachers and thousands of young learners every year. The next stage is connecting the schools involved with their local library and then helping to support the children as they take their next step towards discovering the joy of reading.
