Curiosity and discovery

“We don’t always know what’s on at our local library,” admits Rachel, a customer of Hemsworth library in Wakefield. “But that means my children make unexpected discoveries! Not long ago my eight year-old saw a knitting group, became interested, and asked if he could join in and learn how to knit.”

It’s important to encourage children’s natural curiosity in a space that is safe for them to explore. For Rachel and her family, that space is her local library. “I don’t think my son would have come to me and said ‘Mum, I want to learn how to knit!’ But seeing something new that interested him broadened his horizons that little bit further.”

“It’s so much easier for young kids to absorb information and experiences if they can touch and see things.”

RachelCustomer, Wakefield Libraries

Sparks of inspiration

Hands-on experience is an important thing for developing minds. Helen Halliwell, Floor Manager at Halton Libraries, has worked for the library service for over 20 years. She sees first-hand how activities engage children and fuel their curiosity.

“We ran some workshops with 3D pens, where the kids could make their own Christmas decorations - the parents loved playing with them too! We’ve helped them build planet mobiles, so they learn about the galaxy. We’ve done origami flowers, robot hands with pipe-cleaners and straws, skeleton hands for Science Week, fizzy pop volcanoes…”

Practical activities like these aren’t just great fun - they help youngsters find their own interests and develop their own capabilities.

With STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education increasingly a priority in schools, the library is a place where tomorrow’s scientists, inventors and engineers can uncover life-changing sparks of inspiration.

“If you leave the library with a smile on your face, we know we’ve done our job.”

Helen HalliwellFloor Manager, Halton Libraries

Building blocks of language

The library helps children learn new things as soon as you take them for their first visit. Most library services now offer rhymetimes or storytimes, where babies and toddlers can listen to and take part in songs and stories. It entertains little ones, but, more importantly, it gives them another way to learn the building blocks of language.

When she visits Hemsworth library in Wakefield with her children, Rachel likes how deliberate the choices of songs are. “At Rhymetime they’ll sing songs that include numbers,” she says, “so my little one is being introduced to counting at an early age.”

Halton Libraries do the same, as Helen Halliwell explains: “We’ll sing hello and goodbye songs, and we’ll also do songs about the time, or about the days of the week. Babies and toddlers love the music and the singing - and at that age they’re learning all the time.”