10 reasons to visit your library with your little one by Sue from Hampshire

Libraries are brilliant places, especially if you have children. Here are my Top Ten reasons why you should go and visit your library:

1) It’s free!

A good one to start with! We visit our library regularly and I tend to take it for granted, but every so often I stop and think about what a fantastic service the library provides. To go in empty handed and come away with a bag full of books to enjoy, and all for free, is amazing! Books can be expensive and the library is an ideal way of introducing your child to new books regularly without having to spend a penny.

2) It’ll give your child a great introduction to books and reading

Children are never too young to start looking at books. Even babies enjoy sitting on laps looking and the wonderful board books that are available now, and there are lots of lovely touchy-feely books to encourage babies to explore different textures and colours. If you start sharing books with your baby at a young age they will grow up used to having books around them and will want to learn to read them by themselves.

3) Children can choose their own books

When you go to a book shop with your child, they may find lots of books that they like and want to buy but, if you’re like me, you have to limit them to one or two and you also try and steer them towards books that you would like them to have too. In the library, you can let them have a greater choice. Let them choose the books they would like to take home. You may end up with 10 Charlie and Lola books or a pile of books that you’ve read before, but your child will feel proud to have chosen them by themselves and will be keen to read them as soon as they get home. If he or she discovers that they don’t really enjoy their books, it doesn’t matter, just take them back and choose some more.

4) Libraries aren’t just for books

As well as books, you can often borrow DVDs and small toys or jigsaws, perfect on rainy days when you can take your child and let them choose a treat to take home and watch or play together.

5) Story and Rhyme Times

Most libraries will run Story Times for children under 5. These are usually free and the children can listen to books chosen by the librarian and then may get a chance to do some colouring or drawing. As well as being very enjoyable, these are a great way to introduce your child to a wide variety of books and to help develop their listening skills. For younger children, libraries will usually organise baby rhyme times too.

6) The Children’s Section

Libraries have lovely children’s sections. They are usually tucked in a corner so they don’t disturb other users and they often have little chairs and cushions and low, inviting shelving to encourage children to choose their own books. My daughters are always excited when we go to the library and I’m sure the big colourful train and comfy bean-bags have something to do with it!

7) Library Cards

Children are usually allowed to have their own library cards. Not only does this make them feel very grown-up, but it means you can borrow enough books for your children and yourself, and you will usually find that you do not get fined for overdue children’s items – great if you’re disorganised like me!

8) Parenting Books

Being a new parent canbe very daunting and there are hundreds of books out there offering help and advice. Before buying any of them, go and see what your local library has to offer. Most of my baby books came from the library. I only went on to buy them if I found them really useful and really couldn’t live without them. Libraries are also great for parenting advice books as your child grows up too e.g. potty training advice or advice about starting school.

9) Holiday Activities

Libraries usually run reading challenges for school age children and these are a brilliant way of encouraging your children to keep up their reading during the holidays. There are sometimes one-off craft and activity days too. Story time and Rhymes Times are usually continued during the holidays so little children can still join in too.

10) Set an example

As well as choosing books with your child, make a point of choosing a book for yourself and making the time to read it at home. Show your child that reading can be a pleasure whatever your age. It’s the perfect excuse for sitting down and relaxing with a book!