Join us at 12 noon on Friday 11th April 2025 for our annual National Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Challenge. DEAR is open to everyone, click HERE to register.
The JCSP Library Project, which provides professionally staffed library services in 30 post-primary schools around Ireland, are delighted to announce the ninth year of the challenge. Every year, we ask as many people as possible to put down their work, to switch off their TVs, to close their textbooks and choose a book, magazine, newspaper, e-book, audio book, etc. and to read quietly, or indeed be read to, for twenty minutes.
Our goal with this challenge is to promote literacy through reading for your own personal enjoyment. Speaking in 2019 at the launch of the fourth DEAR challenge, Kathleen Moran, National DEAR Challenge founder, explained our philosophy:
“The main focus of DEAR is to draw attention to the importance of reading for pleasure. Reading is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to children and young people. 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. It’s so important to see the world from another person’s point of view…to hear other people’s stories … that’s how we learn to respect and care for other people.”
Kathleen Moran, speaking in JCSP School Library in Larkin Community College, Dublin 1
The National DEAR Challenge has received support from a range of organisations, including the JCSP Library Project, City of Dublin ETB, Children’s Books Ireland, LAI Youth Libraries Group, Laureate na nÓg, CDETB Curriculum Development Unit, Poetry Ireland and many more. DEAR is open to all. Schools, community groups, individuals, families and workplaces can register to participate here.
When is DEAR celebrated?
The official time and date for DEAR Ireland 2025 is 12 noon on Friday 11th April.
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 2025 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 2025
DEAR Ambassador Patricia Forde – check out thes promotional videos from DEAR 2024 and 2025 Ambassador Patricia Forde:
https://youtube.com/shorts/JQXJbTQ_YP8?feature=share
Check out our gallery below to see some of the celebrities who have supported us through the years, including, Eoin Colfer, Niamh Sharkey, Sarah Crossan, Ryan Tubridy and, most importantly, our DEAR Mascot, Boris!
DEAR Ambassadors
Photo Gallery
dropeverythingandread.ie 