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There are lots of activities and resources for babies and young children at our libraries.

Bookstart

Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents to share books and stories and rhymes with their children.

Bookstart Baby Pack

Every child aged 0-12 months is eligible for a free Bookstart Baby Pack.

The content varies, but will include a book, a finger puppet and a booklet of tips and ideas for sharing books with children from a very young age.

Baby Packs are given out by health visitors or another health professional. If you haven’t received Baby Pack, you can pick one up from your local library.

Book packs for children with additional needs

The following packs are available:

  • Bookshine for children who are deaf
  • Booktouch for children who are blind or partially sighted
  • Bookstart Star for children with conditions affecting their fine motor skills

For more details you can contact our Bookstart co-ordinator by email Bookstart@southglos.gov.uk .

Dual language books

If English is not your first language, you may be able to get a book in another language as part of your Bookstart pack. Email Bookstart@southglos.gov.uk to check availability.

Rhymetime, storytime and play sessions

You can enjoy and learn new rhymes and stories to share with your baby or toddler. There are lots of free sessions available at our libraries. Details of all of our libraries can be found on our Find a library page.

9:30am sessions are before the library opens at 10am. Staff are ready to let you in to attend in time for 9:30am.

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Bradley Stoke Library

  • rhymetime Mondays 10.45am to 11.15am, term time only
  • stories and play Fridays 11am to 12pm, term time only
  • dad’s rhymetime for all menfolk with young relatives. Monthly on Saturdays 9.30am to 10am. For more details drop in or email BradleyStoke.Library@southglos.gov.uk.

Cadbury Heath Library

  • storytime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymetime Fridays 9.30am to 10am, all year

Chipping Sodbury Community Library

  • rhymetime Fridays 10am to 10:30am, term time only

Downend Library

  • rhymetime Wednesdays 9.30 to 10am, all year

Emersons Green Library

  • storytime Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymetime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year

Filton Library

  • rhymetime Wednesdays 10.30am to 11am, term time only
  • stories and play Mondays 11.15am to 11.45am, term time only

Hanham Library

  • rhymetime Mondays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymes & Stories Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year

Kingswood Library

  • rhymetime Wednesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • Friday Fun: Rhymes & Stories 9.30am to 10am, all year

Patchway Library

  • rhymetime Tuesdays 10.30am to 11am, every week except during the school summer holidays
  • stay and play Wednesdays 10.30am to 11.30am, term time only

Scholars Chase Library

  • rhymetime Tuesdays 11am to 11:30am, term time only

Staple Hill Library

  • storytime Mondays 10.30am to 11am, all year
  • rhymetime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year

Thornbury Library

  • rhymes & stories Mondays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymes & stories Fridays 9.30am to 10am, all year  

Winterbourne Library

  • rhymetime Wednesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymes & stories Fridays 9.30am to 10am, term time only

Yate Library

  • storytime Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymetime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
  • rhymetime Friday 9.30am to 10am, all year

 

Mini builders

A free drop-in session for pre–school children. Listen to a story and play with the mini blocks. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cadbury Heath Library

monthly sessions held on a Saturday 10am to 11am

23 March, 27 April, 25 May, 22 June, 20 July, 17 August, 14 September, 12 October

For more details drop in or email Cadbury Heath Library

Emersons Green Library

monthly sessions held on a Friday 1pm to 2pm

15 March, 12 April, 17 May, 14 June, 12 July, 16 August, 13 September, 11 October

For more details drop in or email Emersons Green Library

Hanham Library

monthly sessions held on Saturday 10am to 11am

13 April, 11 May, 8 June, 6 July, 3 August, 28 September, 26 October

For more details drop in or email Hanham Library

Kingswood Library

monthly sessions held on a Saturday 10am to 11am

16 March, 20 April, 18 May, 15 June, 13 July, 10 August, 7 September, 5 October

For more details drop in or email Kingswood Library

Yate Library

weekly sessions held on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10.30am to 11.30am, term time only

 

Books to help your child with life’s challenges

We have a collection of picture books for you to share with your child which help to explain life experiences, situations and milestones.

These include topics such as:

  • visiting the doctor
  • the arrival of a new baby
  • starting school or playgroup
  • coping with bereavement
  • understanding different fears and feelings.

They are all free to borrow and reserve on a child’s library card.


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