Never too early to visit

Having a baby is a huge life event, and the library plays a big part in helping parents around the country adapt.

With free activities like rhyme times and story times the modern library offers parents and carers a safe, warm environment where they can introduce little ones to a world of stories and fun.

90% of a baby’s brain growth takes place in the first five years of life, so stimulating activity is important in these early days. Also important is giving parents and carers chances to meet others at the same life stage.

Tracy Hager, Children & Youth Librarian at Wiltshire Libraries, recognises the challenges new parents face - and encourages them to bring their babies to the library as soon as they can.

“I tell new mums and dads: your baby can cry. You can cry. You can feed the baby. You need a hug? I’ll give you a hug,” she says.

“Adults might think their kids need to be quiet, but that’s not the case. We tell customers there are quieter times to visit, if that’s what they need. But we want the library to be a family-friendly space as well.”

"We want the library to be
a family-friendly space."

Tracy Hager, Children & Youth Librarian, Wiltshire Libraries

Continuing visits

For kids who are a little older, many libraries offer a variety of things to aid their development, entertain them and help them make new friends.

The modern library wants children to continue to visit as they grow - so on any given day you might find Lego clubs, colouring circles, games clubs and more. They’re all great ways to help children make new friends, and for you to meet new people too.

Alex Ferguson’s son, Archie, is a big fan of his library in Smethwick, Sandwell –⁠ which he’s lucky to be able to see from his window!

“Archie has some unique needs because he has a genetic condition called Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome. He’s a bit small for his age, and lacks a sense of danger, but he’s very friendly - so it can be tricky to find sociable yet safe spaces,” says Alex.

“Thimblemill Library is a place where we don’t need to worry so much about him. It’s a physically safe space, it’s all on one floor, and it’s free! It’s a much more suitable place for him to visit than, say, a coffee shop.”

Archie’s needs mean he spends time with his respite carer on Saturday mornings.

“At the library it never feels like Archie is treated as if he is any different to other kids,” says his dad. “They know him and he knows them. Our library is one of the reasons we haven’t moved house - it’s the central hub of the community and even puts on gigs!”

School holidays

As schools go quiet over the summer holidays, libraries spring into action with programmes and activities to help parents and carers keep kids entertained.

The Summer Reading Challenge, and other summer reading campaigns, act as vehicles for related fun like treasure hunts and crafting activities at libraries. As well as receiving rewards for keeping up their reading habit, kids can expect to make friends with other local children as they take part in programmes of activities.

In some areas you’ll also find initiatives - like Leeds Libraries’ Reception Reading Stars - that offer kids the chance to meet future classmates in libraries before they start their first day at school.

Rachel, a parent of two in Wakefield, finds the library invaluable during the summer holidays.

“My eldest, who is eight, asks to visit the library a lot during the Summer Reading Challenge”, she says. “It’s a nice walk to get there, and afterwards we’ll go to the park with a picnic - so it’s a way to have a great day out with the kids without spending money.”