Launch of a Library Card for Every Baby

Budding baby book lovers can get their first step on the road to literacy and lifelong learning with a scheme launched by Rochdale Borough Libraries to encourage early library membership.

Each parent who registers their newborn’s birth at Rochdale Register Office will be given a library card.

Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Customer Services, said: “Research has shown that reading to babies and children gives them a head start in their early years development, language and listening skills, as well as just encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

“By teaming up with the registration service we are ensuring every baby in the borough is given a library card. I also encourage all adults to join and get the benefits of using libraries including free Internet support, IT training and Wi-fi at most libraries.”

By joining the library your child will have access to:

• Free membership to all the borough’s 17 libraries
• A warm welcome for families 100s of quality board books for babies 1000s of beautiful storybooks to read to your growing child
• Free Bookstart Bear Club for under 5s
• No fines for children under 17 years

Rochdale Borough Libraries runs Bookstart Bear club sessions for pre-schoolers throughout the week at locations across the borough.

These include:

The Bookstart programme has shown children in their early years, who have access to books before reception age, begin school with significant advantages and achieve higher attainment in all aspects of education. The club is open to children from birth to five and there are a variety of visual aids to promote the love and enjoyment of stories.

Included in the free to join programme are:

• Free books to share with your child;
• Support and guidance to inspire a love of books;
• Opportunities to engage with other families at vibrant and fun community events.

For more information on Rochdale Borough Libraries visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries

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