Books and more

## Reconnecting with the world
When Ian from Gateshead was referred to a reading group, he hadn’t left his house for 18 months. Joining a Reading for Wellbeing pilot programme transformed his life.

>"My life changed the day I was referred to the Reading for Wellbeing programme."
>QUOTECITEIan, customerQUOTEBIOGateshead LibrariesQUOTEENDCITE
## Benefits of book groups
Tracey Morgan works at [_blank_Westgate Library](https://local.kent.gov.uk/kb5/kent/directory/service.page?id=fdyr7QSFZPc&communitychannel=9), part of Kent Libraries, where she helps supply books for several book groups. She recognises the benefits of using reading as a way for people to reconnect with people.

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“I think the main benefits of book groups are that they give people an opportunity to get out of the house, gather with others and learn about new authors. And they’re often free!” she says. 

One thing people might not realise about library book groups is that they don’t actually have to take place in the library. 

“We only have one reading group that actually meets in our library,” says Tracey. “The others meet in pubs, community centres, even each other’s homes. We’re happy to help these groups get started and supply them with books - as a library we just want to do whatever we can to get people reading and talking.”

## Bringing stories to the isolated
Not all library customers can get out to visit a book group. Dorothy lives in Tyne and Wear, and loves her book group, which is based in Hartlepool where she used to live. “Since the pandemic the buses have all changed, and it’s hard for me to get to the group in person,” she explains. So now she joins the group by Zoom.

“I’m blind, so I get the audiobooks. Being in a group has meant I’ve read books I wouldn’t have dreamed of reading!” she says. “Reading different books educates you and broadens your thinking, and discussing them with people gives you different perspectives.”

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Joan in Bradford, meanwhile, benefits from being able to [_blank_get library books delivered to her home](https://www.bradford.gov.uk/libraries/services-in-our-libraries/home-library-service/). “I’m almost 90 years old, so I’m not able to get about as much these days,” she explains. “Getting my library books delivered has been an absolute lifeline - I don’t know what I would have done without it.”

Joan also benefits from titles chosen just for her by library staff. “Since Covid, the books have been chosen for us, and I’ve been amazed at how well they choose books for me. They can look back at what I’ve borrowed previously and judge what to pick for me. It’s been wonderful!”

For people less able to read books on their own, some libraries run shared reading groups that focus on reading aloud together. 


[_blank_York Explore](https://exploreyork.org.uk/york-explore/)'s Reading Together programme invites participants to read aloud, listen to stories and take breaks for cups of tea. It’s an initiative that opens up the book group format to more people.

“Reading Together means people with, for example, visual impairments or dementia can get involved,” explains Reader Development Librarian, Wendy Kent. “There’s no commitment to reading between meetings, but they still get to gather with people and experience the health and wellbeing benefits.”

It's never too late to throw yourself into a new interest

Learn new skills at the library

Connect with people around a shared interest or hobby

Find your community at the library

Reading for wellbeing at the library

## Story time and rhyme time for young children
There are few better places than the library to take a young child. They can’t read yet, but babies and young children benefit enormously from listening to songs, rhymes and stories - which is why storytime and rhymetime sessions at libraries are so valuable.

Lyndsay Glover, a Service Developer for young people at [_blank_Explore York Libraries and Archives](https://exploreyork.org.uk/york-explore/), sees first hand how parents and children benefit from them.

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“They’re a brilliant way of introducing very young children to books, and giving parents the confidence to read with their children, which are the footholds of establishing a love of reading,” she explains.

Rachel is a parent in [_blank_Wakefield](https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/libraries-and-local-history/) who is also a self-published author. With two children aged eight and three, she recognises the value of attending rhymetime. 

“At Rhymetime they’ll sing songs that include numbers,” she says, “so my little one is being introduced to counting at an early age. It starts that process of learning early, and as it takes place near books she’s got the choice to explore for herself, and choose a story for me to read afterwards.”

## Finding reading fun
[_blank_Chatterbooks](https://readingagency.org.uk/resources/?programme=chat) is the largest network of children’s reading groups in the UK. It provides an opportunity for kids who enjoy reading to take the next step and share their excitement with other children.

Research shows if children see reading as fun, they’ll continue to do it. This means they’re more likely to become accomplished readers, and a high level of literacy has been shown to lead people to live happier and more successful lives.

In a Chatterbooks session, children are invited to talk about what they’ve enjoyed reading, recommend books to peers and get involved in activities related to stories. 

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“A recent Chatterbooks group chose pirate stories as their theme,” says Lyndsay Glover from Explore York Libraries and Archives. “After talking about their books they drew a large island, decided together what the island would be called, what the weather was like and who lived there. The books were a starting point for imaginative and collaborative play.”

Stickers, activity sheets or Lego might all play a part, while the practice of talking about stories in a group helps build children’s confidence to discuss and share their opinions.
>"My world - and my children’s world - would be a lot smaller without the library."
>QUOTECITERachelQUOTEBIOParent & author, WakefieldQUOTEENDCITE
## Building a relationship with the library
The [_blank_Summer Reading Challenge](https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/), and other similar seasonal reading campaigns, have become a central part of the reading calendar for hundreds of thousands of children. 

Originally devised to help combat the drop in children’s reading over the summer holidays, it runs online and through public libraries around the country. Once registered, children earn rewards for reading books of their choosing, with stickers always proving very popular. It’s a great way to encourage kids to develop the reading habit. 

Rachel in Wakefield has found it a great way to keep her children entertained and interested in reading. 

“My eldest, who is eight, asks to go to the library during the Summer Reading Challenge,” she says. “He’s very imaginative and likes storytelling. They put on loads of activities, there was even a pantomime. It’s a lovely, easy way to spend a day with the kids without spending money!”

Building a relationship with the library has lots of other benefits too. For example, Rachel found the help of a librarian invaluable when her son’s school mentioned he could do with some grammar help. “The teacher mentioned it so I asked at the library and they ordered a book for us. They found something that was age appropriate, with exercises he could try. It really helped.”

As someone who has lived in a few different places, Rachel is passionate about the role libraries play in her children’s development. “My world - and my children’s world - would be a lot smaller without the library,” she explains. “I live in a village where not much goes on, and it’s expensive to visit museums and galleries. But I want my kids to be exposed to the wider world - the library gives them access to new ideas, activities and stories away from screens.”

The library is a great place to take children of all ages

Connection for kids and carers at the library

Inspiration, excitement and discovery for kids

Help children learn while having fun

Stories, rhymes and stickers for children at the library

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It’s **free** to join the library, and when you do you can borrow books for free.

At a library you can borrow multiple books at a time. You can renew them for free if you don’t finish them before the due date (as long as someone else hasn’t reserved them). 

Many libraries let you renew books without visiting in person - for example, by using their website.

Once you have a library card you can access books and other content in digital formats too. You can borrow e-books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers digitally, for free, through your library.

Books are free at your library

It’s free to join the library, and when you do you can borrow books for free.
At a library you can borrow multiple books at a time. You can renew them for free if you don’t finish them before the due date (as long as someone else hasn’t reserved them).
Many libraries let you renew books without visiting in person - for example, by using their website.
Once you have a library card you can access books and other content in digital formats too. You can borrow e-books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers digitally, for free, through your library.

An image of a Neil Gaiman quote on the wall of a library: 'Libraries really are the gates to the future'.

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Lots of libraries run activities, events and groups that help people of all ages get into reading. They do this because reading is one of the best things you can do to improve your wellbeing.

For example, reading can:
- enhance vocabulary and language skills
- improve mental and physical wellbeing
- lessen the risk of dementia
- build empathy
- broaden horizons
- help focus and concentration
- improve educational prospects
- offer comfort during difficult times.


Why should you read?

Lots of libraries run activities, events and groups that help people of all ages get into reading. They do this because reading is one of the best things you can do to improve your wellbeing.
For example, reading can:
<ul>
<li>enhance vocabulary and language skills</li>
<li>improve mental and physical wellbeing</li>
<li>lessen the risk of dementia</li>
<li>build empathy</li>
<li>broaden horizons</li>
<li>help focus and concentration</li>
<li>improve educational prospects</li>
<li>offer comfort during difficult times.</li>
</ul>

Books and moreStories are for sharing at the library

Books are free at your library

Reading for wellbeing at the library

Stories, rhymes and stickers for children at the library

Why should you read?

Start your journey
of discovery

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Books and moreStories are for sharing at the library

Books are free at your library

Reading for wellbeing at the library

Stories, rhymes and stickers for children at the library

Why should you read?

Start your journeyof discovery

Start your journey
of discovery