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Babies who love books, love libraries!

Photo of Lynn Baker with her children. "We love our libraries" that's the message from parents and carers across the county as they join in the fun for Nottinghamshire Libraries' week-long celebration of getting babies off to a great start in life with books.

"It's all about encouraging young children to enjoy a love of books, and to see the library as an exciting place from the earliest age. That's really important." Lynn Baker, Mum of twins, Evie and Eliza (18 months), and Georgia (aged four)".

This week (3 to 9 October) Nottinghamshire County Council Libraries' free rhyme and story sessions for young children have an extra special meaning, as the county celebrates its success in the national Bookstart scheme, which gifts free books to pre-school children, and is marked by National Bookstart Day on 9 October.

Bookstart - well documented for its impact on a child’s educational development - is co-ordinated locally by Nottinghamshire County Council, working alongside colleagues from health, education, and Sure Start children’s centres. In 2008/2009, the county’s efforts ensured that 100 percent of babies received their first book gift from the scheme.

To mark the good news, regular children’s events at libraries have been bringing nursery rhymes to life this week, with staff at some libraries even dressed as characters such as Miss Muffet and Dingle Dangle Scarecrow.

And while it may all be simply great fun for the little ones, with research stating that reading for pleasure is the most important indicator for a child's future success*, it's part of a crucial effort.

"We sing and share stories together at home, but it doesn't beat coming to the library where Ella can have interaction with other children and enjoy the books afterwards. And the great thing about the library is it's free, when so many things are expensive. We love it!" Miriam Buxton, parent.

No charge

As well as Bookstart, the wider programme of activity carried out by Nottinghamshire Libraries’ Early Years team, includes:

  • an ever-improving collection of children’s books at libraries across the county
  • the opportunity for individuals to borrow up to 24 books a day for free, and with no charge for damage to books for children under five
  • free, regular events for pre-school children that focus on helping the very young to develop important literacy skills, which can have a positive impact on their development.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Community, Councillor John Cottee, said: "The County Council makes a fantastic effort to inspire people of all ages with books and reading, and the success of the local Bookstart scheme - combined with the free programme of story and rhyme and events for little ones - helps to ensure our children have the opportunity to develop a valuable love of reading."

* taken from Literacy Changes Lives, The Literacy Trust, 2008.

Eastwood photos

Toddlers at a Bookstart event in Eastwood Toddlers at a Bookstart event in Eastwood

A woman with a child at a Bookstart event in Eastwood A girl at a Bookstart event in Eastwood Toddlers at a Bookstart event in Eastwood

A toddler at a Bookstart event in Eastwood A toddler at a Bookstart event in Eastwood

Newark photos

A mum and her daughters at a Bookstart event in Newark Library Toddlers at a Bookstart event in Newark Library Toddlers at a Bookstart event in Newark Library Toddlers at a Bookstart event in Newark Library

Hucknall photos

Library works dressed in costume for the Bookstart event at Hucknall Parents, toddlers and library staff at the Bookstart event at Hucknall

Parents and toddlers with Paddy Tipping MP and library staff at the Bookstart event at Hucknall library Parents and toddlers with Paddy Tipping MP and library staff at Hucknall library Parents and toddlers with Paddy Tipping MP and library staff at Hucknall library

Sutton photos

A toddler at the Bookstart event at Sutton Library Toddlers at the Bookstart event at Sutton Library A toddler at the Bookstart event at Sutton Library

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