Scheme to encourage early library membership launched

Launch of a library card for every baby

A scheme has been launched by Rochdale Borough Libraries to encourage early library membership.

Each parent who registers their newborn’s birth at Rochdale Register Office will be given a library card.

Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Customer Services, said: “Research has shown that reading to babies and children gives them a head start in their early years development, language and listening skills, as well as just encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

“By teaming up with the registration service we are ensuring every baby in the borough is given a library card. I also encourage all adults to join and get the benefits of using libraries including free Internet support, IT training and Wi-fi at most libraries.”

By joining the library your child will have access to:

• Free membership to all the borough’s 17 libraries
• A warm welcome for families 100s of quality board books for babies 1000s of beautiful storybooks to read to your growing child
• Free Bookstart Bear Club for under 5s
• No fines for children under 17 years

Rochdale Borough Libraries runs Bookstart Bear club sessions for pre-schoolers throughout the week at locations across the borough.