Galway Schools Library Service has been given a vibrant and cheerful look by illustrator, artist and children’s book author Chris Judge. The project has given the once simple, grey exterior of the mobile library an updated look to inspire wonder and a love of reading, and to reflect the inner world of Galway County’s children.
This project was created and led by Galway County Arts Office in collaboration with Galway Public Libraries with funding support from Galway County Council and The Arts Council.
As a starting point for the artwork, Chris Judge visited students at St. Augustine’s National School Clontuskert and Scoil an Chroí Naofa, Ballinasloe to ask for their help with the design.
“It was a wonderful process working with the children in both schools. All of my projects, like the mobile library and artworks for schools and hospitals, are collaborative. I feel this is essential to make these projects work. Having all the ideas come from the children gives the artworks a much more exciting outcome. I love having all of their unique ideas to work with when I am creating the final work. There are so many talented artists in the two schools," said Chris Judge.
Principal Teacher Kate Murray of St. Augustine’s National School Clontuskert said that working with Galway Schools Library Service and talented artist and author Chris Judge gave the children in Clontuskert an insight into the design process and development of imaginative and artistic ideas. "They were thrilled to see their ideas immortalised on the Schools Library Service van for all of Galway County to enjoy," she said.
The collaboration between the Arts Office and Galway Public Libraries to update the Schools Library Service van was born out of the knowledge that artwork can inspire and nurture a love of reading. The van now features vibrantly coloured images of children reading and creatures from land, sky and sea all interacting with books.
Arts Officer Sharon O’Grady said that to see the joyful and exciting world of reading represented on the mobile library is a real thrill for them in the Arts Office and they hope that the children of County Galway enjoy seeing the library arrive at their schools.
The Schools Library Service provides library support and services to approximately 230 primary schools in Galway County. The primary role of the service is to facilitate a library book exchange programme to primary schools throughout the county. The dedicated mobile library visits schools twice a year to facilitate exchange of classroom library book stock.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Liam Carroll said the Schools Library Service brings reading and educational services into the heart of our communities and schools.
"It is an absolute necessity for children in rural areas who would not otherwise get the opportunity to see or read a library book, as many live too far away from a library branch. It’s wonderful to see the van that provides this important service with inspiring artwork that represents the children in the county," he said.
The mobile library is on the road five days a week, covering the length and breadth of the county during the school year. There are 90 school runs to complete each year and two to three schools are visited on each run. During school holidays, the library hosts events.
Acting Executive Librarian Sharleen McAndrew said that often times a child’s only experience of a library or of books is through the visit of the Schools Library Service.
"By visiting the schools, children have the opportunity to come into the van and choose their own books, further developing the relationship between the library and children.”
Chief Executive Liam Conneally said it is wonderful to see scenes of creatures reading under the sea and in woodlands brighten up our roads and schools across the county.
"This artwork will bring joy and a reminder of the importance of reading to everyone who sees it.”
Director of Service Alan Farrell said it was lovely to see the beautiful result of this collaboration between the hardworking Arts Office and Library Service teams.
"Giving our children a say about what the Schools Library Service looks like sends an important message that this service is for them and we will do everything we can to encourage their reading journeys.”
"I hope the children and everyone else in the area enjoy seeing the newly updated Schools Library Service," said Chris Judge.
"I created lots of characters and objects from the children’s worksheets and used a simple palette of colours that I sampled from their drawings. I hope they recognise their ideas in the artwork, and I hope the library brings joy to all who see it on the road. Most importantly, I hope the children continue to enjoy their love of reading and drawing," concluded Chris Judge.
