Turning the Page

In 2007 and 2008, CBI completed a major new piece of research – The Turning the Page Report. As part of our Engagement programme we are committed to leading and influencing the development of good practice in book-based events and activities for children. Documenting current practice around book-based events and activities for children in this report enables a greater understanding of the level and type of provision on a national basis.

CBI would like to thank all our national partners who contributed to this important report and Helen Thomas of Book Communications who undertook the research.

Some key findings:

• 4121 events took place during 2007 with the largest proportion (39.3%) occurring between October and December 2007

• The greatest provision (46.9%) was for young people aged 8-12 years

• 51.6% of events targeted a schools audience

• The vast majority of organisations surveyed confirmed that programming literature events for young people was of high strategic importance to their organisation

• 54% of respondents considered CBI a partner in presenting literature programming

The report also pinpoints a number of current and future challenges for the sector including lack of available funding and the need for audience and capacity development. It is also clear that longer term investment will nurture a sector that innovates, develops and delivers high quality engagement for children.

If you would like to receive a copy of this report please contact CBI. Alternatively you can download a PDF here.

 

What’s the Story? The Reading Choices of Young people in Ireland

(ISBN: 18729100)

In 2002 CBI published a ground-breaking report examining the reading habits of young people in Ireland. What’s the Story? is the first large scale comprehensive survey of the leisure time reading choices of young people in Ireland. Published by Children’s Books Ireland in 2002, the research was conducted by Dr. Deirdre Haslett. Over 2,200 students from Ireland, North and South, took part in the study. They came from 62 different schools, urban and rural, large and small.

Areas covered in the research include:

Favourite Books

Favourite Authors

Popular Genres

Favourite Periodicals

Recent Book Buying

Book Ownership

Influences in Choosing a Book to Read

Books in the Home

School and Local Libraries

Buying and Borrowing Books

Periodicals

What’s the Story? is essential reading for anyone concerned with books and young people. Copies of What’s the Story? are available from Children’s Books Ireland, please contact us to order your copy.

 

Consultation with Children and Young People

Children’s Books Ireland and The Ark, a Cultural Centre for Children, chose to programme a symposium in September 2008 to fulfill a need identified by both organizations in relation to artistic practice for and with young people in Ireland.

This working symposium was designed for those creating and delivering arts projects in different settings, who are interested in consultation with children (age 3-14). Consultation is increasingly recognized as an essential process for understanding the needs of our audiences, but what are the methods for successfully consulting with children as a means to truly enrich their cultural lives? The Ark and Children’s Books Ireland, as national organisations, were delighted to work together to address this question.

The event opened with a keynote address by the chair Sheila Greene, Director of the Children’s Research Centre at Trinity College and included presentations of inspirational projects where children have been actively involved in artistic policy and practice development. These were followed by practical workshops, delivered by Playtrain (UK based consultation specialists), providing participants a rare opportunity to up-skill in this area.

The event was enabled by the generous support of The Irish Youth Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Office of the minister for Children.

We are delighted to make a record of the event available below. We have presented summaries of both the presentations and the workshops, along with a reflection on the response to the symposium. We have also included details of Irish and international resources and activities relevant to consultation with children.

Building a Culture of Consultation with Children within Artistic Policy and Practice