In May 2024, the School Library Group of the Library Association of Ireland hosted a conference in the JCSP Library at Larkin Community College. The title of the conference was
The ❤️ of a school – School Libraries, student wellbeing & building empathy
Irish research about the JCSP Demonstration Library Project found that a well-resourced school library, managed by a professional librarian offers schools not only A Room for Reading (Hassett, 2005) but also More Than a Room for Reading (Henefer, 2008). The vital role school libraries managed by professional librarians play not only in the active pedagogical work in their students’ literacy skills development; the promotion of reading for pleasure as a lifelong practice; supporting alongside fellow educators and families their students’ wellbeing; and providing through reading, discussion and a range of activities within the library space opportunities for students to build individually and collectively their empathy skills and also it is hoped so importantly their resiliency, has been proven in both national and international research (Ernst, 2003; Merga, 2020; O’Brien, O’Brien & O’Hara, 2023; Rudkin & Wood, 2019).
So, it seemed obvious when the Fishamble: The New Play Company and Larkin Community College initiative Who Am I? How Am I? was first imagined, that it was the JCSP Library at the school that would provide the project with its ‘home base’. The aims of Who Am I? How Am I? are in a sense core to the many roles and work that JCSP librarians do across currently 30 DEIS schools.
The Who I Am? How Am I? encompassed in so many ways the work that was set out to do in JCSP libraries on a consistent basis across 30 schools since the library programme began more than 20 years ago. That work would include supporting students in articulating their voices; helping them to express in different formats their experiences; providing space and opportunities to discover elements of their emerging identities as young people and students within their school.
A creative arts and social justice partnership, Who I Am? How Am I? set out to offer opportunities for young people from diverse ethnic backgrounds to engage with each other and celebrate who they are, through theatre making, restorative practices, and Fireside Chats. A group of 1st year students (aged between 12 and 14) who are on an Arts programme at Larkin Community College participated in the initiative from late February to May 2025. These students come from different ethnicities and mixed heritages including Georgian, Ukrainian, Roma, Mongolian, Mauritian, Russian, Irish, and others. The initiative took place mostly during the Arts lessons and sometimes students were withdrawn from SPHE lessons.
During the initiative, four artists were invited to participate in Fireside Chats and Restorative Practice processes in the Library. In preparation, students conducted research about the artists and drafted interview questions that were given to each before the events. Students volunteered to conduct each of the interviews which included at the start and end of the event check in’s using a Restorative Practice process during which all had the opportunity to say who am I, how am I and what aspect of the interview resonated with them.
The playwright and poet Samuel Yakura was the first Fireside guest. He shared insights into his artistic journey, his debut play The Perfect Immigrant, and his experiences since moving to Ireland.
This was followed by the multidisciplinary artist and musician. Dafe Orugbo who shared insights into his personal journey, his work as a theatre maker, and his music under the name @tebirexofficial. The discussion also touched on his passion for Formula 1, particularly his admiration for Lewis Hamilton.
The third Fireside Chat was with Gavin Kostick, the multiple award-winning, internationally produced playwright. Gavin’s new play for children The Leap, will receive its debut performances this Autumn in JCSP libraries at Mt Carmel Secondary School, Marino College and Larkin Community College.
The final Fireside Chat welcomed Subhashini Goda to the Larkin Library. Subhashini is a multidisciplinary artist and dance anthropologist. The conversation explored important topics such as the challenges young people face in choosing a career, dealing with racism, and the need to feel safe and included in their communities. The visit also featured a captivating Bharatanatyam dance performance, bringing cultural expression to life.
The Who I Am? How Am I? at Larkin provided an opportunity to re-visit at Larkin Library an interactive, listening and progressive way to revisit work that was done in JCSP libraries 20 years ago and is still taking place by more than 30 amazing professional librarians in JCSP DEIS schools
For me, as a professional teacher and librarian, experiencing Who I Am? How Am I? as a facilitator of ‘place’; as a respectful participant in the restorative practices involved; as a witness to the ‘journeys’ some students undertook and their willingness to share these, I have learned a great deal. It was a sincere privilege that as the school librarian I was able to support this initiative and imagine that it will contribute to my work going forward in this amazing library,
What a wonderful project. Congratulations Jean, Larkin, Fishamble and all the artists.