Joining the Library
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It’s never too early to start enjoying books with your child.
Young children love sharing stories and books, and talking about the pictures. It’s also good for helping your child develop their imagination, listening and communication skills.
Did you know that your baby can have their own library card?
Sharing books helps you to develop a bond with your baby – they love the sound of your voice and sharing a cuddle and a smile with you while you read to them.
Don’t forget that you can also share books and songs with your bump if you pregnant. Research suggests that babies in the womb respond to the sounds of a parent’s
voice and they recognise nursery rhymes and songs that have been sung or spoken to them.
Libraries have lots of great books for you to share with your child – it’s free to join the library and books are free to borrow. Don't worry if your child accidentally
damages a book, we make no charge for this.
The library offers:
- Board books – perfect for tiny hands
- Picture books for toddlers and pre-school children: story books, books to share at bedtime, dual language books (picture books in different languages), favourite TV characters, lift-the-flap and tactile books
- Simple non-fiction books on themes from dinosaurs to diggers and wild animals
- New experience books to help with new and sometimes difficult situations like going to the doctors or a new baby
- Children’s DVDs and CDs containing nursery rhymes, songs and stories
How do I join the library?
You can join at your local library but remember to take one form of ID, showing your name and address. If you prefer you can join online now and collect your library card from your library of choice.
How can my child join?
It’s the same process as joining yourself except you will need to sign as guarantor for what is borrowed. If you are a member your own library card can be used as proof of ID. So join your child at your local library or join online now.
Make yourself at home
We want children, parents and carers to feel welcome at the library so remember...
- Buggies and pushchairs are welcome inside the library
- Sometimes young children cry or have the odd tantrum, but that’s ok with us!
- We know that books sometimes get accidentally damaged and make no charge for this
- You can breast or bottle feed your baby in the library
- Public toilets and baby changing facilities are available in some libraries, and others are happy for you to use the staff toilets
Fun at the library
Look out for the Rhymetimes and Funtime sessions at your local library. Join us for songs, rhymes, rhythm and movement. It’s a great way to meet other parents and children too, and it’s completely free!
Bear’s Reading Adventure
Why not take part in Bear's Reading Adventure?
Bear's Reading Adventure is a sticker storybook with 10 stickers for children to collect.
Families can pick up their free copy of Bear's Reading Adventure at their local library. Whilst stocks last!!
Bookstart
Bookstart supports and encourages families to enjoy sharing stories, books and rhymes together.
Every child should receive two free Bookstart packs which will inspire a love of reading that will last a lifetime.
Find out more about the packs and how you receive them.
Page last updated: 31st May 2017