The Bookstart Book Crawl is a library joining incentive. It aims to maintain contact with the families of babies and toddlers and to increase library membership. The scheme will promote library joining all year round rather than just through the summer months.
We are keen to support an increase in early years library members. This latest initiative consists of a certificate awarded to children up to five years old who have shared at least six books with library staff.
Under fives who have their own library ticket will be offered a collector card. This will be stamped and a sticker added after each of six books have been shared with library staff. One or two books per visit would be best. After six books have been completed a special colourful certificate will be awarded.
A recommended reading list will also be provided to encourage different types of reading and varied styles. Some of the items listed may not be available through libraries due to the format or production methods.
Increasing book-sharing and library use are part of our aims and objectives and also part of the national targets for Sure Start.
We hope that children from 0 up to 5 years old will complete the Bookstart Book Crawl each year. They will be able to collect a number of certificates to have as keepsakes of their earliest years as library members.