by Kathleen Moran

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Register your support for DEAR here

Following on from our enormously successful 2020 National DEAR Challenge – where we had over 342,000 registered participants – we are once again inviting the entire nation to take time out to join our 2021 Challenge and to ‘Drop Everything and Read’ for 20 minutes at 12 noon on Friday April 30^th 2021.

2021 will be our 6th National DEAR Challenge and we hope to make it bigger and better than ever.

The simple idea is to promote the importance of literacy and to spread the joy of reading for pleasure by having as many people as possible read at the same time on the same day. With over 342,000 registered participants last year, our aim is to have an even higher participation figure this year. So show your support and register here.

Work will be put down, computer screens will be turned off, and everyone will be encouraged to pick up a book, magazine, newspaper, e-book, audio book, etc. and to read quietly, or indeed be read to, for 20 minutes (or more!).

We are delighted to welcome the current Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn as our DEAR Ambassador this year. Áine is the first Irish language writer to be awarded the honour of Laureate. For more information about Laureate na nÓg, go to childrenslaureate.ie

View Áine’s promotional videos:

Give our children the joy of reading as Gaeilge as well as as Béarla

DEAR AMBASSADOR ÁINE NÍ GHLINN

The main focus of this National DEAR Challenge is to draw attention to the importance of reading for pleasure. If reading is to become a lifelong habit then young people must see themselves as participants in a community that views reading as a significant and enjoyable activity.

When is DEAR celebrated?

The official time and date for DEAR Ireland 2021 is 12 noon on Friday April 30^th.

Can DEAR be celebrated at a different time/date?

Of course.  If you cannot participate in DEAR at the official date and time, then please show your support by registering and taking time to read on a date and time to suit you.  DEAR can be celebrated at any time on any day, or better still, every day!

What do I need to do to participate in DEAR?

All those planning to participate in the 2021 National Drop Everything and Read Challenge (individuals, families, schools, organisations, companies, etc.) are asked to register here

Then all you have to do is read!

Resources

Registration Form – click here to register for DEAR 2021

DEAR Ambassador Áine Ní Ghlinn – check out these promotional videos from DEAR 2021 Ambassador Áine Ní Ghlinn:

http://bit.ly/JCSPLibrariesYouTube

Follow the campaign on Twitter @dear_ireland and share your comments, photos and video clips on Twitter, Instagram, etc. using the hashtags #DEARIrl and #LetsGetIrelandReading or email to dear@jcsplibraries.ie

DEAR Ambassadors

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DEAR Supporters & Participants

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