When Dublin parents Stuart and Regina Kirk welcomed their son Theo into the world at just 24 weeks, weighing a tiny 1.8lbs, the experience was overwhelming. But a new library initiative offered them a way to bond with their fragile newborn: reading to him in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Theo, born at Dublin’s Rotunda Maternity Hospital, became one of the earliest members of Ireland’s incubator “Baby Book Club.” At just ten days old, the Kirks began softly reading stories to him, thanks to a collaboration between Dublin City Libraries (DCL) and the hospital. The initiative is being highlighted as part of National Public Libraries Open Day on September 27, which showcases the wide-ranging services available in Ireland’s public libraries.
For the Kirks, the simple act of reading helped ease the strain of those long days in the NICU.
“It really kicked off when Amanda [Scott, the hospital’s Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist] left a book trolley in the unit,” explained Stuart, a software engineer.
“I expected them to be all old and dog-eared, but they were all brand new and disinfected. We felt it was important to read to Theo. As he got bigger, we were able to take him out of the incubator and cuddle him as we were reading the books. It was just amazing.”
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The couple read Theo tales including The President’s Dog and The President’s Cat, popular children’s books by Irish author Peter Donnelly. Regina, a travel consultant, said the experience brought a sense of normalcy during a difficult time.
“Reading these books made us feel closer to him. We owe our lives to all of the incredible Rotunda staff. Theo had his first birthday a few weeks ago and now has his own bookshelf at home.”
Amanda Scott, who introduced the project to the Kirks, noted the benefits extend far beyond comfort. “Reading to babies calms them, helps bonding and builds speech and language skills,” she said.
Dublin City Libraries sees the Baby Book Club as part of its wider mission to support families from the very beginning of their children’s lives.
“Libraries provide excellent services for parents with newborns and for young children, from baby book clubs and story time sessions to parenting resources and early literacy programmes,” said librarian Eimear Corcoran, who oversees the initiative.
“We encourage all parents to explore the wide range of supports available in their local library, where they’ll find welcoming spaces and staff ready to help.”
The scheme has already expanded beyond the Rotunda, with the Coombe Hospital also involved, and plans underway to bring it to more hospitals across Dublin. The success stories like Theo’s highlight how books can be a lifeline for parents navigating the stress of neonatal care.
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This year’s National Public Libraries Open Day will put such initiatives in the spotlight. Throughout September, libraries across Ireland will host events, workshops, and community activities showcasing everything from baby story sessions to digital learning and cultural programs.
For the Kirks, the memories of those first stories read in the hospital are ones they will carry for life. Stuart put it simply: “I would encourage other parents who find themselves in the NICU to read to their babies. It absolutely gave us a purpose, and we weren’t just sitting there watching him and staring at the incubator.”
As Theo’s bookshelf continues to grow, so too does the message at the heart of this initiative: even in the most fragile beginnings, stories have the power to comfort, connect, and heal.
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