Over 4000 under 5’s across the Wokingham Borough received Bookstart Packs via Libraries, children’s centres and health visits during 2011/12.

Bookstart is run by Booktrust, an independent national charity that encourages people of all ages and cultures to engage with books. Bookstart is the national free books programme that encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible.

Throughout the year the library service run several events to promote Bookstart with the council’s partners, including the borough council’s children’s services, Berkshire West Primary Care Trust and Homestart, to encourage sharing books and to deliver Bookstart packs.

Under 5’s library officer Claire Groves said: “Toddlers and young children get so much pleasure from stories and books and we are really excited about seeing lots of them coming into the library, to borrow more books and attend our events. Don’t forget that families can collect their Bookstart packs from their local library or children’s centre, for either children up to 12 months or for 3 to 4 years olds.”

The library service also runs regular events for parents / carers with children under 5, including: rhymetime, toddlertime, storytime and dad’s rhymetime. For more information please visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/events or call the local library.

All children are entitled to their own library card and there are special library cards available for registered child-minders, nurseries and other groups.