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Little Libraries open in North Lincolnshire to provide free books for children

Schools, Libraries and Learning
11:47, Thursday, 31st October 2019

North Lincolnshire Children’s Literacy Trust has launched exciting and innovative ‘Little Libraries’ to provide children with access to free books.

The new libraries have recently been opened at Luddington and Garthorpe Primary School, The Arc in Westcliff, and at Belton Kitchen and Visitor Centre.

The ‘Little Libraries’ have been created in partnership with the council and the Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Partnership Trust. The Literacy Trust was also successful in receiving £3,000 funding from the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ scheme.

The scheme is aimed to help children who don’t live within walking distance of their nearest library to access the books free of charge. The Little Library works like a normal library, in which children can borrow a book of their choice and return it when they have finished.

During the Power of Words Festival in July, there was a ‘Design A Little Library’ competition for children. They watched the theatre company, ‘Tell Tale Hearts’ perform stories from other cultures and then afterwards created designs for the ‘Little Libraries’. The winning designs were then brought to life by artist Mandy Keating.

The winners received a gift voucher and officially opened the Little Libraries they designed. They are:

  • Katherine Wilson-Dobbs, aged 9, designed the Luddington and Garthorpe ‘Little Library’
  • Neve Sweeney, aged 7, designed The Arc ‘Little Library’
  • Daisy Williams, aged 9, designed the Belton Kitchen and Visitor Centre ‘Little Library’

Cllr David Rose, Cabinet member for Children, Families and Culture and a trustee of the North Lincolnshire Children’s Literacy Trust, said:

“The ‘Little Libraries’ are a fantastic addition to local communities to allow children access to a range of brilliant free books. Reading books is really important for children as it helps with early development of language and communication skills.

“In North Lincolnshire, we want all children to enjoy reading, which is why we are making books easily accessible through schemes such as the well-established Imagination Library and now our ‘Little Libraries’.

“If we are able to secure further funding, we would like to open up even more ‘Little Libraries’ across North Lincolnshire so even more children can access these great books.

“Congratulations to the three winners of the competition – your designs are brilliant.”

About North Lincolnshire Children’s Literacy Trust

The Trust launched in 2016 to inspire children and their parents to develop their literacy skills and raise awareness of the importance of literacy.

The main aims of the Children’s Literacy Trust are:

  • To raise awareness and address North Lincolnshire’s literacy challenge to equip children with literacy skills fit for employment and life
  • Establish literacy programmes, campaigns and partnerships to support and empower North Lincolnshire communities to improve the skills and confidence of those in need of literacy support
  • Work in partnership with schools, the education sector and business and community partners to identify priorities for children, young people and their families and develop a range of approaches to meet local need