Libraries Children and young people
In addition to the extra resources and free services your group can receive if you join the library, you can arrange with your local library for:
- Visits to the library - bring your children along to explore, choose books and enjoy a story (parents are welcome too)
- Visits to your location by library staff to share stories and rhymes which can be themed
- A display in the library for posters and your children’s artwork
Rhyme and Story Times
All our libraries run regular rhyme and/or story time sessions, either weekly or monthly. Search for your local library to see days and times.
Rhyme and story times are a perfect way to meet other families, refresh your nursery rhymes and to find some books to share with your baby or toddler.
Singing rhymes and sharing books are a perfect way to give your child the best start in life by helping to develop their speech and language, giving them confidence in communication which will stand them in good stead their whole life.
Summer Reading Challenge
Each year Shropshire Libraries take part in the themed national Summer Reading Challenge for young people, organised by The Reading Agency. Children and young people aged 4 to 12 are invited to read six books over the summer holidays and collect rewards as they go.
Let's Get Ready book bags
Borrow the Let’s Get Ready book bags to help your child prepare for the next stages of their life. The bags contain four carefully selected books exploring daily routines and first experiences. They are intended to help children deal with change and overcome worries about the next step in their lives, whether it be going to nursery or a visit to the dentist.
Guidance sheets for parents and carers emphasise the importance of sharing books and language for their child’s development.
The book bags can be borrowed for free for three weeks from any Shropshire Library branch. The bags have been created with money from the Education Improvement Service Early Years Team.
For further information about the bags contact libraries@shropshire.gov.uk
Carers and tutors
Join to benefit from the range of extra resources and reduced charges in place to support foster carers, home educators, child-minders, volunteer reading helpers and family learning tutors.
Bookstart packs
Bookstart Baby pack - these are normally gifted by Health Visitors but if you do not receive one please ask at library desks.
Bookstart Treasure Packs are no longer available from Booktrust. Due to their funding constraints Booktrust are focusing on more targeted offers which are gifted by partners within Health, Early Help and some childcare settings.
Any further queries can be addressed to bookstart@shropshire.gov.uk
Kooth
Shropshire Libraries are now working in partnership with Kooth, the online mental health service for children and young people. Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. It can be accessed through the computers within the libraries or on their own device using the free WIFI available in all libraries. Library staff have been trained to assist with the accessing of the website. Find out more on the Kooth website.
ArtsMark Partners
ArtsMark is the award for schools to encourage the embedding of arts and culture within the curriculum. Shropshire Libraries are signed up as ArtsMark Partners. We can support schools in their ArtsMark journey in the following ways:
- Library tours and regular school visits
- Author visits and poetry workshops
- Exhibition and performance space
- Arts Award Discover and Explore opportunities
- Summer Reading Challenge and Arts Award
- Volunteering opportunities for young people
Schools can contact us if they are interested in working with us on Arts Award Discover or Explore levels and in our role as an ArtsMark Partner. We are happy to discuss how we can support schools on an individual basis.
To contact us to discuss how we can support your school, email libraries@shropshire.gov.uk.
School Visits
Shropshire libraries welcome school visits. Schools should contact their local library to arrange times and discuss requirements. Use find a library for contact details of all libraries.
Reading Well for Children
The 33 Reading Well for Children titles are intended to provide children and their families and carers with information, advice and support on coping with feelings and worries, daily life and getting through a tough time. Chosen and endorsed by leading health professionals and The Reading Agency, The Reading Well for Children booklist covers topics relevant to the children of today, including grief, anxiety, bullying and staying safe online. In recognition of the potential impact of living with diagnosed conditions and physical disabilities, the booklist also explores living well with conditions including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), dyslexia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and physical disabilities.
The booklist is targeted at children in Key Stage 2 and includes titles suitable for a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and to encourage children to read together with their siblings and carers.
New Reading Well for Teens titles
This collection for young people (aged 13-18 years) is an updated version of the Shelf Help collection. Reading Well for teens suggests recommended reading and digital resources to help you understand your feelings and boost your confidence. Teens and health and wellbeing experts have chosen the books to help you manage your emotions and cope with difficult times.
The booklist is targeted at teenagers (13–18) and includes a range of reading levels and formats to support less confident readers and encourage engagement.
The Reading Well for Children titles are free to borrow and are available at libraries in Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Ludlow. The books can also be reserved free of charge at all other branches in the county and can be recommended by health and social care professionals, teachers and anyone else working to support children and families.
Volunteering
We welcome young volunteers to assist with our regular events and activities, who are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award, or who want to volunteer for specific periods such as the Summer Reading Challenge. Please see our volunteering page to apply, or contact your local library for an informal discussion.
Activities and events
Our range of events and activities for families is constantly evolving. For up-to-date information on our huge range of activities, from Lego clubs to reading groups, craft events to STEM clubs, please visit our events page and follow us on social media. Most events and activities are free or low cost.