Library services for children

The children's library service offers books and computer learning facilities for children. The library may also provide CDs and cassettes and there will often be organised activities during school holidays.

Waltham Forest Libraries provide a variety of services for children and young people including:

• Regular storytelling and craft activities at your local library
• Class visits for schools
• Homework clubs
• School holiday activities
• National Summer Reading Challenge
• Bookstart

Children may borrow up to 15 books and 6 junior CDs free of charge, up to 6 DVDs (age appropriate) for which hire charges are payable.

Bookstart in the UK is the first national books for babies/children programme in the world. As Bookstart partners we aim to provide every child in the UK with Bookstart packs of free books and other fun material. WF Libraries are committed to promoting the idea of early book sharing and seek to give every child the opportunity to develop a life long love of books.

Bookstart is based on a simple premise that children who have an early introduction to books benefit educationally, culturally socially and emotionally.

Libraries and our partners such as Clinics, Nurseries and Early years settings, are ideally placed to ensure that the pleasure of book sharing draws children towards literacy through the love of stories, songs and rhymes and encourages parents to see themselves as their baby’s most enduring teacher.

Bookstart is a public – private partnership between central government and private sponsors and promoted and supplied through libraries.

It is delivered via three public services, Education, Health and Public Libraries.

Children are provided with two Bookstart packs:

• Bookstart packs for babies - Book start
• Bookstart Treasure Chest for 3 year olds

Libraries are at the forefront of this scheme and play a very proactive role in ensuring that all children under the age of 5 get the opportunity to receive their special pack and together with their parents / carers become life long members of libraries. We have made great headway in reaching children where they are and where they visit.