Rochdale Borough Libraries to celebrate Children’s Book Week

Young Person's Library Worker Ray Stearn reading to children

Rochdale Borough Libraries are joining forces with libraries throughout the country to celebrate Children’s Book Week.

From Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July, the borough’s libraries will be opening their doors and front covers to children looking to develop a love of reading.

Children’s Book Week is an annual celebration of reading for pleasure for children which has been running for over 80 years.

In Rochdale, the Central Library in Number One Riverside will mark the week by hosting three class visits from primary schools and nurseries, which are sure to be a huge hit with the children.

To become a member of one of the 17 libraries in the borough, residents simply need to turn up with some ID and sign up, or join online using the link below. It’s free and easy to do. Each library has books for all ages and free internet access for children and families.

And it’s now easier than ever to get your child a library membership. Every child is now given a library card when their birth is registered and 25 private nurseries across the borough also give library cards to the children.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Neighbourhoods, said: “Our borough’s libraries are fantastic. They are filled with dedicated, hard-working staff and books for people of all ages. Using the library is fun for children and is proven to improve their literacy. I urge you to join and use the library with your child this week.”

Former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen said: “Children's Book Week is a great opportunity for everyone who cares about children's books to fire up children to read and talk about books. Books need as much buzz around them as TV and film, so a week when the whole country is talking about books and authors is an ideal way for the world of books to be seen and heard.”

Supporting Children’s Book Week is one of the many ways libraries across the borough encourage a love of reading in young children. The Bookstart Bear Club is a regular feature in the libraries with weekly sessions at six libraries, the details of which can be found on the website listed below.

The libraries also have events and activities planned throughout the summer including the ‘Mythical Maze’ Summer Reading Challenge which is sure to fire children’s enthusiasm in reading for pleasure, whilst maintaining their literacy levels over the summer holidays.