CONSULTATION
DOCUMENT
Arising from the Conference on Reading organised
by Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge/Foras na Gaeilge in Dublin, 21-22 September 2012
1 BACKGROUND
Foras na Gaeilge intends to adopt a new strategy for reading in 2014 to encourage people to read
more Irish language books. Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (the unit within Foras na Gaeilge that deals with
Irish language publishing) therefore decided to organise a Conference on Reading to gain an insight
into the current state of literature and reading in Irish and into the book industry in Ireland and
abroad.
This public consultation process is being organised about the recommendations made at the
Conference on Reading. Its findings will guide Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge when setting out priorities for
the new reading strategy.
The Conference was held in September 2012 in the Marino Conference Centre in Dublin.
It was strongly recommended at the Conference that the recommendations arising from the
conference and the consultation process be implemented.
2 THE CONCEPT OF READER DEVELOPMENT
It is timely that Foras na Gaeilge intends to undertake a new strategy to encourage more people to
read Irish language books. A greater emphasis is being laid on developing audiences for the arts in
Ireland and in other European countries, particularly in recent years.
Reader development forms part of audience development for the arts. The key speaker at the
Conference, Rachel Van Riel of Opening the Book, explained the difference between ‘reading
development’, i.e. the skill of literacy and reading learnt at school, and 'reader development', i.e.
various actions organised to encourage people to read more books.
Audience development (or in the case of literature, reader development) is one of the priorities of
the new European Commission programme, Creative Europe, the European fund which will be
available to the culture and creativity sector from 2014 to 2020 (http://www.cultureinmotion.eu).
The European Commission wants arts publishers and organisations to be more active in their
discussion with their audiences, and that they find new strategies (rather than simply keeping
websites up to date) to communicate actively with their reading, listening or viewing audiences.
Reader development activities have been underway in Britain since the 1990s. The Arts Council of
Ireland has been emphasising audience development in recent years as well and established the Arts
Audiences organisation (http://artsaudiences.ie) to that effect in 2009.
Libraries in Ireland have also been strongly involved in reader development work under the direction
of the Library Council (which has recently ceased to exist) in recent years. Librarians in every county
have undertaken training in reader development with the Opening the Book which is based in
England. There has been little discussion so far at an official level about reader development in the
context of Irish language literature, however.
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Speakers and audience members at the Conference felt strongly that that it is time to begin
promoting the reading of Irish-language books in an organised manner, as is done in other
languages.
3 THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
Foras na Gaeilge would like to consult with the public on the recommendations below which arose
from the Conference on Reading.
The consultation seeks the views of the public, especially those involved in Irish-language literature
and book industry professionals.
The recommendations are divided into four sections. People may provide feedback on the
recommendations as a whole, or they may provide feedback point by point, as provided in the
document. Submissions will be accepted via email or by post.
E-mail address: leabhar@forasnagaeilge.ie
Postal address: Consultation Process, Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge, Ráth Chairn, Baile
Átha Buí, Co. na Mí.
The public consultation opens on Wednesday, 5 June 2013. The closing date for submissions is
Friday, 5 July 2013.
Foras na Gaeilge is subject to the Freedom of Information Acts.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CONFERENCE ON READING
(NB: The recommendations are not in any particular order.)
PART A - THE PUBLISHING SECTOR
1 PUBLISHING
No.
Recommendation
1.1
Re-establish the Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge
Commissions Scheme.
Feedback
The Commissions Scheme was highly praised. It
was recommended that it should be amended,
but that it should not be abolished altogether.
1.2
Assess the training needs of writers, editors and
publishers and provide support for them to
attend courses.
Any other
recommendations on
publishing?
2 IRISH LANGUAGE WRITERS AND WRITING
No.
Recommendation
2.1
Strengthen the existing support structures for
writers, and look at new ways of fostering a
new generation of prose writers especially.
2.2
Scéim na nOidí (Tutoring/mentoring scheme
for writers)
Feedback
This scheme should be developed and
widened, and should be publicised more.
2.3
Develop an Irish language Writers in Schools
Scheme.
2.4
Organise workshops on writing for the media.
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2.5
Organise seminars about language usage and
different styles of writing in Irish for people
who are interested in becoming Irish language
writers.
2.6
Seek more recognition for Irish language
writers and their work:
Publish posters and postcards of Irish language
writers similar to those available for English
language writers in Ireland.
Publish bilingual poetry posters and give them
to pubs, hotels etc.
Use resources such as YouTube to show videos
of Irish language writers reading their work
with subtitles in English or other languages.
2.7
Ensure that State-funded literature centres,
festivals and organisation give proper
recognition and support to Irish language
writers and poets.
2.8
Provide bursaries to allow young/new writers
to spend periods in a Gaeltacht area.
2.9
Focus on particular groups e.g. Irish language
scriptwriters and translators to encourage
them to begin writing fiction in Irish.
2.10
Information website for writers.
On one website (or in one booklet), provide
information about all supports (bursaries,
commissions, residencies, literary competitions
etc.) available to Irish language writers from
Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (Foras na Gaeilge),the
Arts Councils, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, County
Councils, COGG etc.
Any other
recommendations on
writers?
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3 EDITORS
No.
Recommendation
3.1
Create jobs for editors.
Feedback
It was recommended that all State-funded
publishers should be obliged to employ a fulltime or part-time editor.
3.2
Begin talks with the appropriate organisations
(e.g. third level institutions, established
publishers, training organisations in the
publishing sector etc.) to find ways to provide
specialist training in literary editing in Irish
(including children's literature).
3.3
Provide specialist training courses in copy
editing in Irish.
Any other
recommendations on
editing?
4 GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDUSTRY
No.
Recommendation
4.1
That a record be kept of every Irish book
published in each genre, and of the books
translated to Irish and from Irish to other
languages every year.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations on
this subject?
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5 DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDUSTRY
No.
Recommendation
5.1
To persuade publishers that they should
distribute bilingual advanced information
sheets (AIs) about each book and e-book
published.
5.2
In the case of publishers who are unable to
provide this information, it is recommended
that a central arrangement be made (within
Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge/ÁIS, for example, or
within the organisation which will have
responsibility for overall marketing/publicity of
Irish language books) to gather the information
required and issue the AIs.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations on
this subject?
6 FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS
No.
Recommendation
6.1
Strengthen the relationship between Clár na
Leabhar Gaeilge/Foras na Gaeilge and the
organisations listed below in order to promote
reading in the long-term in a coordinated
manner:
Feedback
Libraries/County Councils
Ealaín na Gaeltachta
Údarás na Gaeltachta
The Arts Councils North and South
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Gaeltacht Co-operatives
Community organisations
COGG
Irish language promotion organisations.
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6.2
Begin talks with the English language publishing
sector in Ireland on ways that the two sectors
could work together to promote literature in
Irish and in English.
6.3
Cooperate with international organisations to
start a Book Festival for Minority Languages on
mainland Europe under the auspices of the EU.
Any other
recommendations on
this subject?
7 TRANSLATION FROM ENGLISH TO IRISH
There was much discussion on Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge's policy in recent years not to provide funding
for books translated from English to Irish. Funding is available from another fund within Foras na
Gaeilge and from COGG (www.cogg.ie) for translations from English to Irish. It should also be noted
that education publishers an Gúm (Foras na Gaeilge) and an tÁisaonad publish children's books that
have been translated from English to Irish as a matter of course. The speakers at the conference and
the audience were unable to agree on this issue other than to agree that there is a need for more
flexibility on the matter.1
No.
Recommendation
7.1
That the criteria for Scéim na Foilsitheoireachta
(Publishing Scheme) be amended so that books
translated from English can be funded if they
appear in publishers’ publishing plans – but
that publishers would have to make a special
case for each of the books.
Feedback
Or
7.2
That the Publishing Scheme should not be
amended, but that another title by title scheme
1
See 'Béarla na Leabhar', a piece of research commissioned by Foras na Gaeilge on the issue of funding
translation from English to Irish, available on www.gaeilge.ie.
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be established on a trial basis to fund the
publication of books translated from English to
Irish.
Any other
recommendations on
this translation
policy?
8 TRANSLATION FROM IRISH TO OTHER LANGUAGES
No.
Recommendation
8.1
To support publishers to sell translation rights
in other languages abroad, focusing especially
on prose works.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations on
translation from Irish
to other languages?
9 E-BOOKS
No.
Recommendation
9.1
Provide advice and support to publishers
wishing to publish Irish language e-books.
9.2
Set up a sales website for Irish language ebooks (as well as being available from the
publishers’ websites) when a certain number
(e.g. more than 1000) of Irish language e-books
is published.
9.3
Ensure that the necessary metadata be
available so that Irish language e-books can be
found through the usual search channels
(Amazon etc.).
Feedback
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9.4
Establish a fund for publishers who wish to
publish animation versions of children's
books/children's book apps.
Any other
recommendations on
Irish language ebooks?
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PART B - THE PROMOTION OF READERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
10 PUBLIC LIBRARIES
No.
Recommendation
10.1
Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge should invite county
librarians (especially those in Gaeltacht
counties) to come together to establish a
network that would look at ways of
encouraging communities to engage with more
Irish language books (reader development).
10.2
Gather information on the stock of Irish
language books available in each public library.
10.3
Gather information on the number of Irish
language books borrowed from each public
library and on the kinds of books borrowed.
10.4
On a partnership basis with county librarians,
provide training to librarians on ways to draw
the public towards their Irish language books.
10.5
Provide information on a monthly basis to
librarians through ÁIS (for example) on new
books coming on to the market.
10.6
Provide assistance to schools and bookshops on
more attractive ways of displaying Irish
language books.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations on
Public Libraries?
11 READING CAMPAIGNS
No.
Recommendation
11.1
On a partnership basis with libraries and
bookshops, and with advice from organisations
with experience in reader development, that
various campaigns be undertaken to promote
reading for pleasure in Irish.
Feedback
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11.2
Persuade Irish language organisations that
events such as Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish
Language Week)/Bliain na Gaeilge (Irish
Language Year) should focus on the written
word as well as on speaking Irish.
11.3
Direct specific reading campaigns at particular
target groups (people who can be presumed to
be fluent readers), e.g.:
11.4

The Gaeltacht diaspora throughout
Ireland and abroad

The Gaelscoileanna diaspora
throughout Ireland and abroad

Teachers in primary and secondary
Gaeltacht/Irish medium schools

Employees in Irish language
organisations
Create more book clubs in conjunction with
national organisations such as Glór na nGael,
the ICA, the GAA, Ógras etc.
Any other
recommendations on
reading campaigns?
12 Set up a Reader in Residence Programme
No.
Recommendation
12.1
Start a reader in residence scheme in teacher
training colleges to encourage reading among
students and lecturers.
12.2
In conjunction with other funding
organisations (such as Údarás na
Gaeltachta/the Arts Council and County
Councils), discuss the possibilities of employing
Irish language readers in residence in Gaeltacht
Feedback
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libraries (and other suitable locations) on a
partnership basis.
Any other
recommendations
about readers in
residence?
13 THE ROLE OF READING IN LANGUAGE PLANNING
No.
Recommendation
13.1
Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge should act on behalf of
the book sector in the discussion of language
planning to ensure that appropriate emphasis is
put on the reading of books in language plans.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations in
the context of
language planning?
PART C - DISTRIBUTION, MARKETING AND THE MEDIA
14 DISTRIBUTION
No.
Recommendation
14.1
Provide additional staff to ÁIS (Foras na
Gaeilge), the main distributor of Irish language
books.
14.2
To decide whether responsibility for setting up
and managing a central website for Irish
language books will lie with ÁIS or another
organisation.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations
on the distribution
of Irish language
books?
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15 MARKETING AND PUBLICITY
No.
Recommendation
15.1
To continue supporting publishers who have
the resources to market their own publications
on an ongoing basis.
15.2
To provide a limited marketing/publicity
service to publishers who do not have
marketing staff.
15.3
To provide training for publishers on how to
prepare advance information sheets (AIs) for
the media, distributors, libraries and
bookshops.
15.4
To decide whether ÁIS (Foras na Gaeilge) or
another organisation be charged with the
central responsibility of marketing and/or
publicity for Irish language books.
15.5
Provide opportunities to promote Irish
language books in the broadcast and print
media by providing them with information
packs on books and authors.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations
on the marketing of
Irish language books
or publishing?
16 REVIEWING
No.
Recommendation
16.1
To focus on particular groups in the media (e.g.
journalists who deal with culture and the arts)
to encourage them to read and review newly
Feedback
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published Irish language books.
16.2
Ensure that there are more book reviews in the
various news publications funded by Foras na
Gaeilge.
16.3
Support literary review programmes about
newly published Irish language books in the
broadcast media (in conjunction with the Irish
Broadcasting Authority and other
organisations).
Any other
recommendations on
this subject?
PART D - YOUNG PEOPLE
17 CHILDREN
No.
Recommendation
17.1
Ensure high editing, publishing and printing
standards in children's books.
17.2
That all children's books from now on be graded
according to reading level (L1/L2).
17.3
That teachers be able to access the first few
pages of children's books on a central website
to help them assess the reading level.
17.4
Organise in-service courses for teachers about
ways to encourage reading among pupils.
17.5
Promote the habit of reading for pleasure
among teachers and parents (in Gaeltacht and
in Irish medium schools especially) as a way of
encouraging children to read.
17.6
Set out guidelines (style guide and a guide to
Feedback
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setting/simplifying language levels) for
children's books for the different age groups
(L1/L2).
Any other
recommendations on
ways to promote
reading in Irish
among children?
18 TEENAGERS
No.
Recommendation
18.1
To provide funding for the translation to Irish of
English language bestsellers for teenagers to
encourage this group to read in Irish.
18.2
To establish reading initiatives in transition year
and to use social media to encourage book
reviews.
18.3
To gather information from teenagers about
the kind of books they would like to read.
18.4
Focus on different age groups of teenagers by
providing them with e-book versions of teenage
books.
18.5
To provide exciting books to teenagers in more
informal style (spoken style), rather than in
formal or academic style.
18.6
Set out guidelines (style guide and a guide to
setting/simplifying language levels) for teenage
books (different age groups) (L1/L2).
18.7
Focus on encouraging reading and reviewing
among children at summer colleges.
Feedback
Any other
recommendations on
ways to promote
reading in Irish
among teenagers?
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERSON MAKING THE SUBMISSION
Name:
Occupation (writer, publisher, parent, reader, teacher etc.):
Organisation (if applicable):
Postal address:
E-mail address:
Telephone:
Please send your submission to:
E-mail address: leabhar@forasnagaeilge.ie
Post address: Consultation Process, Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge, Ráth Chairn, Baile
Átha Buí, Co. na Mí.
THANK YOU.
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