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A young female student with a laptop at the library. She is smiling and has a cup of coffee next to her

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A group of ladies at a craft group at their local library. They are looking at some of the crafting that is on a table.

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Two young men around a table at the library. One has his laptop and is looking at his phone, the other has a tablet stylus in his hand. They are both concentrating on their tasks

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A children's craft group. Two children are holding up felt flowers and the group leader is smiling.

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A member of the public looking through a book that has been handed to him by the librarian. He has a backpack on and the librarian is holding a leaflet.

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A toddler group at a public library. Children are under a parachute that adults are holding up. The main focus is a child stood up smiling beneath the parachute.

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A baby and parent group at the library. The mum is smiling at her baby while the baby is laughing at the group leader.

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Tracy

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Diane

Mr Ali and a library volunteer at a digital learning session

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Majzoub

A man and woman laughing during a conversation at a reading group.

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After suffering the loss of a loved one during the pandemic, Ian found it difficult to leave the house. Gateshead’s Community Links service referred him to a [_blank_Reading for Wellbeing](https://readingforwellbeing.org.uk/) programme that was running at his local library.

This is Ian’s story.

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Libraries offer ways for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the health benefits of reading. 

You can get free books in print and digital formats, join a local book group and, in some places, get books delivered to your home.

Customer, Gateshead Libraries

How library reading services improve wellbeing

Two children colouring in at their local library.

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Encouraging children’s natural curiosity in a safe space helps them learn new things.

For babies and toddlers, rhymetime and storytime sessions are fun, free ways to learn the building blocks of language. Being around other kids and parents helps them develop early social and emotional skills.

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Most libraries put on free activities for children. As well as rhymetimes and storytimes, you might find LEGO clubs and crafting workshops that help stoke the curiosity of older children.

Floor Manager, Halton Libraries

Developing young minds

A mum holding up a toddler at a rhyme time event at the library.

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Libraries help children, parents and carers make friends and build support networks. 

Having children is a huge life transition, and libraries play a big part in helping parents around the country adapt and enjoy time together. 

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Being part of a community offers social connection, friendship and support. It’s great for our mental health. 

Tracy Hager is Children & Youth Librarian at [_blank_Wiltshire Libraries](https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries-home). She sees up close the value libraries offer children of all ages - and their parents:

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