Your family friendly library

You are never too young to join the library

You and your child are very important library customers.
Being a parent is not always easy. Your visit to the library needs to be as relaxed as possible.
You'll find the staff friendly and helpful.

Come along to your local library and open up a whole new world. Sharing books with babies and toddlers is a great way to help them develop an understanding of the world around us.

All libraries have picture books and board books, along with children's story and rhyme tapes and some have books in other languages.

How to join

Joining the library is easy - and it is free. Just bring along something with your name and address on it. You can borrow up to 10 books and 6 storytapes or CDs. No proof? You can still borrow two books.

There are special tickets for childminders, pre-school leaders, home educators, foster carers and anyone with additional needs.

Items kept late

There is no charge for children's books, story tapes and CDs, unless they are more than two weeks late. After that there is a small charge.

There is no charge for items damaged by under fives, looked after children and children with additional needs.

Storytimes

Many libraries hold story times and rhyme times for the under five's. They are all free and a great way of making new friends and enjoying new stories and old. Join in with the Bookcrawl and collect stickers every time you visit the library. Once you have collected four stickers you receive one of ten specially designed certificates.

Cannot find what you are looking for? Reservations on children's items are FREE. If the book you are after is out on loan or in another library, library staff will get it for you. All you need to do is fill out a special request card.

You are welcome to feed and change your baby in the library. Most libraries have toilets with baby changing facilities. No-one minds the odd tantrum or noise.

You can also collect your Bookstart pack from your local library.
This is a national programme that encourages parents and carers to spend more time enjoying books with their babies and toddlers. Bookstart Baby Pack is available for babies between 0-12 months. Bookstart Plus is designed for children aged 18-30 months. Pick up your free pack from your library or your health visitor.

Your local library can offer...

• holiday activities, rhyme and story times for the under fives
• free internet access
• books and videos on parenting and childcare
• information on local activities and childcare
• visits for parents and preschool groups

What about you?

Do not forget there are books, CDs, talking books, DVDs and videos for you to borrow and enjoy too!

So what do you think?

Libraries welcome your comments. complaints and suggestions about family friendliness, or any other aspect of the service. That way, the library service can keep on improving for your family and other families.

Young children using the library remain the responsibility of their parents. Staff will do everything they can to ensure your child's safety, but they cannot be responsible for unsupervised children.

This Family Friendly Policy was developed by Shropshire parents and library staff following consultation with many parents and under five's organisations.

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