From as far back as she can remember, Emma Halloran loved nothing more than losing herself in a book. From fantasy to science fiction, mystery to horror, and dystopia to literary realism, she would spend hours exploring different worlds and immersing herself in the stories at her fingertips.

A voracious reader all through her childhood, teens and into adulthood, she gifted that same passion to her children.

And now, through her latest project, her dream is to extend the same infectious enthusiasm all across the community.

The first instalment of Headford’s Little Libraries was unveiled in recent days at Campbell’s Tavern in Cloughanover.

The concept is simple – to establish a central point where people can come and avail of a free library. Readers can drop off a book and bring a new one home. When they finish their latest read, the process begins again. And again. And again. It’s that simple.

Of course, Headford is by no means creating a historic first with this project, nor does Emma claim to be developing a brand new idea.

However, the Little Library outside the popular North Galway pub is just the beginning, and work is already underway on the second cabinet. For now, she’s keeping her cards close to her chest on the next location, but suffice to say it’s unlikely to be the last.

“The idea of creating some local Little Libraries is something I’ve toyed with for a while,” explained Emma.

“I love to read and I always have a few books on the go. I think the idea first came to me during Covid, when we were so limited in our movements and what was available to us.

“We couldn’t get to the library or go to bookshops, and we were all supposed to be keeping our distance from neighbours and friends. I remember wishing we had a Little Library in Headford at the time, so we could go along and swap books easily,” she recalled.

Post-Covid, ‘normal’ life resumed, and the hustle and bustle of daily routines took over once more. In the back of her mind, however, Emma always intended to revisit the idea. Earlier this year, she upped the ante and decided to research the options properly.

In March, Emma approached the local Men’s Shed with the idea.

Initially meeting with Fergus Hassett, she explained what she was looking for, and later followed up with the desired specifications and some images she had sourced online.

Always keen to get involved with community projects, the Men’s Shed were on board straight away, but with several projects already in progress, she had time to further refine the idea and revert with a concrete plan.

In the meantime, Emma began to float the idea locally – and in Kilcoona National School, where she has been the voluntary librarian for the last eight years, the feedback was positive.

Similarly, in Presentation College Headford, where she has spent the last year voluntarily cataloging and sorting in the school’s library, the idea was well received.

Among friends and family – those who know what she’s like when she gets an idea in her head – words of encouragement and support gave her further motivation.

It was settled; she was going to progress with Headford’s Little Libraries by hook or by crook.

At a meeting of Headford and District Association (HADA) during the spring, Emma discussed her plan.

As secretary of HADA, she was confident she would get the backing of the group. What she hadn’t expected, however, was an immediate offer of funding. The committee behind Headfest – the local family festival of music and events – stepped up to the plate and pledged their financial assistance.

As it turns out, the Headfest funding will cover the cost of two Little Libraries for Headford, as well as a small donation to the Men’s Shed.

Back in Headford Men’s Shed HQ, work began in earnest on the first Little Library, with Kevin O’Brien and Jimmy Wall taking charge of the building work. Jane Bane, the librarian in Headford Library, offered some plexiglass for the doors of the cabinets.

The material had been used at the desk in the local library when it opened its doors post Covid, and the powers that be within Galway Public Libraries were delighted to see it being repurposed.

“The support from so many local people and organisations has been incredible in bringing the dream to life and the team at the Men’s Shed, of course, deserve huge credit for all their hard work. While the idea has been brewing a long time, everything knitted together quite quickly in the end,” Emma explained.

As soon as word began to spread of the impending launch, offers of books came flooding in, and the Headford’s Little Libraries Facebook and Instagram pages proved key in coordinating book drop-offs and collections.

“I had a few ideas and suggestions as to where the first one should be located. I knew some form of shelter from the elements would be important and there’s a lovely, covered area outside The Tavern that immediately emerged as the frontrunner. It has a mural on the wall of a full bookcase so it was almost an obvious choice,” Emma continued.

True to form, publican Willie Campbell took no persuasion. A wonderful supporter of the arts and culture, he agreed without giving it a second thought.

Furthermore, Campbell’s Tavern have added their own slant, with the team starting to curate their own smaller collection of reading materials on the shelves inside the pub.

Ahead of the unveiling of the first Little Library this month, Emma decided to add a few extra touches. She painted and decorated the cabinet, and ordered some quirky enamel pins for the day, as well as rallying the troops for some baking and face painting to add to the celebrations.

In addition, inside the Little Library, she has provided some bookmarks, book review notepads, and colourful overlays to focus words for people who struggle with reading.

From the Men’s Shed, Fergus Hassett and Kevin O’Brien attended the launch and officially unveiled the Little Library. Emma thanked all those who had played a part in bringing her dream to fruition and hinted that this was just the beginning.

“Reading has been such a huge part of my life and our children share my love for books. When I started volunteering in Kilcoona National School, I did so because I wanted to share my love for reading with all of the children there.

“Headford’s Little Libraries present an opportunity to spread that passion all across the community and I’m really excited to see what lies ahead,” she said.

Pictured: Emma Halloran and Headford librarian Jane Bane, pictured with the Little Library inside Headford Library. The library donated the plexiglass for the doors of the cabinet.