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Children and young people

Find out about what we have to offer children and young people at our libraries.

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Children and young peopleBookstart
Children and young peopleBookstart

Children and young people

You are never too young to join the library - our youngest readers get their own special membership card. All of our libraries provide children's books. Fines for children are charged at a reduced rate. Please note that any children's items borrowed on an adult's card incur adult charges.

What does my library have for children?

  • Board books/baby books
  • Picture books
  • Dual language picture books - A small collection of books in dual English/community language editions is held centrally and available for loan county-wide.
  • Early Readers - These are sub-divided by spine labels into ‘Silver Stars’: books, containing illustrations and a few words to a page suitable for children learning how to read; and ‘Blue Stars’: books using simple language and short sentences, with up to about 50 words per page, suitable for children starting to read alone.
  • Junior Fiction books - Available in hardback, paperback and large print form.
  • Junior Non-Fiction books - Books for both educational purposes and recreational reading are available, with the emphasis on popular topics and pastimes.
  • Audio books - These are available in some larger libraries and are also available for loan in other libraries via the library free reservation system.
Take a look at some of our favourite reading ideas.  We change these regularly so keep checking back to see what books are featured next.

Babies and toddlers



 

5 to 8 years


 

9 to 12 years

There is always lots going on in our libraries with events such as the Summer Reading Challenge, New Writing North Young Writers, children's reading groups, craft activities and baby story and rhymetimes to name but a few events. 

To find out what is happening at the moment please visit here.
Your local library has books to borrow, free internet access, homework help and more.  All you need is your library card.
 

What does my library have for Young Adults?

  • Teen Fiction books - These include both hardback and paperback books and are provided for ages 12+ or for younger children with parental consent.
  • Teen Non-Fiction books - A small collection of books are available for children aged 12+ covering issues relevant to this particular age group.
  • Teen Graphic Novels and Manga books - Graphic novels and Manga books are provided in some larger libraries and are also available for loan in other libraries via the free library reservation system.
  • Audio books - These are available in some larger libraries and are also available for loan in other libraries via the free library reservation system.
  • Online Resources - You can use online resources such as Theory Test Pro.  Find out more about online resources.
Take a look at some of our favourite reading ideas.  We change these regularly so keep checking back to see what books are featured next. 

Reading Hack is a programme led by young people aged 13 to 24 who do reading activities and volunteering, called hacks, to gain skills and experience. Reading Hack builds on the success and learning from The Reading Agency's previous work with young people including Summer Reading Challenge volunteering and BIG Lottery pilots such as Reading Activists. The programme inspires young people to become advocates for reading and to lead the way in engaging their peers- particularly those who struggle with reading, don't like it or don't see its value.

Reading Hack includes Summer Reading Challenge volunteering.  To find out more about Reading Hacks email mylibrary@northumberland.gov.uk or ask library staff.

Reading Hack is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.  

Visit the Reading Hacks website here.

Bookstart

Bookstart

"Upon starting school, the Bookstart children were significantly ahead of their classmates in all Reading and Number assessments. At age seven the Bookstart children were still ahead in learning." - Professor Barrie Wade and Dr Maggie Moore (Bookstart)

Bookstart supports you to enjoy books with your child from as early an age as possible.  

Bookstart offers the gift of free books to all children at two key ages before they start school to inspire a love of reading that will give children a flying start in life and to help families enjoy reading together every day.








 



Bookstart Baby Pack – It’s never too early to start enjoying books with your baby. You'll get your free Bookstart pack in your baby's first year, usually from your health visitor or other health professional.    

Bookstart Treasure Gift - Sharing books, stories or rhymes every day helps your child become a confident and eager learner even before they start school. Your child will get their Bookstart Treasure Gift when they are between 3–4 years old, from their nursery, playgroup or other early years setting.

Northumberland Libraries provide support and welcome to all Bookstart families.
Take a look at a selection of Bookstart Books. Don't worry if your library does not have the book you want you can reserve it for free from another Northumberland Library.

If you visit one of our libraries you can pick up the sticker storybook ‘Bear's Reading Adventure’ – free for families with children aged up to five.

Children get awarded a new sticker to put in this special book every time they visit the library – collect all 10 to download a special Bookstart certificate!  
‘Sharing books with your child is one of the nicest activities you can do. It develops so many skills and it all happens very naturally when you read and talk about books with your child.’ (Bookstart mum)

These libraries run story and rhyme time sessions  -  please contact the individual library for more information.
  • Berwick Library every Friday 11am till 11.30am.  
  • Blyth Library every Friday 9.30am till 10am.  
  • Hexham Library every Monday during term time 9.45am - 10.15am.  
  • Morpeth Library every Wednesday 2pm till 2.30pm.  
  • Prudhoe Library every Friday during term time 10am - 10.30am. 
  • Seaton Valley Library every Monday at 9.30am - 10am, term time only.  Please note this storytime is currently not running and will return after Easter.

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