The Library for Under 5s
Children can have their library card from the day they are born
It's free to join and to borrow books, you can't start too soon!
There's a great choice of board books, picture books and toys in all our libraries to share with your little one. Fun activities like Totstimes, Storytimes and Craft Clubs to enjoy.
Library Information for parents
Research shows that sharing stories and rhymes gives a child the best start to learning and reading becomes an enjoyable skill for life.
10 minutes reading a day can dramatically improve your child's lifelong language, literacy and numeracy skills. Belonging to a library opens up a wealth of free books, information and skills for families to enjoy.
There are Parents Collections in all Nottingham City Libraries with useful books on child development, play, healthy food, sleep and entertaining your child.
There are board books suitable for babies and toddlers and don't worry there is no replacement charge if the books get damaged on an Under 5s card.
There are also no overdue or reservation fees to pay until they reach 18.
After school activities for 4 year olds
Regular after school drop-in sessions during term time, run by staff and trained volunteers:
Reading Champions for ages 4 to 16:
- gain confidence with independent reading by reading aloud to staff or volunteers
- get reading diaries signed
Games Club all ages welcome:
- board and card games for everyone to enjoy
Locations and times (run in term time only):
Aspley Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club
Bilborough Library Tuesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions
Clifton Library Thursdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Games Club
Dales Centre Library Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club
Meadows Library Mondays and Fridays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions
Radford-Lenton Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading champions and Games Club
Sherwood Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club
Southglade Park Library Wednesdays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Games Club
Strelley Road Library Mondays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Reading Champions and Fridays 3.30pm to 5.30pm Games Club
Totstime and Play sessions
Totstime sessions for babies and toddlers run in all libraries with stories, rhymes, music and movement. Join in the singing, have fun with your child exploring language music and books.
Children's Centre Staff also run play sessions for toddlers in some libraries.
| Library | Activity | Days and times |
| Aspley | Totstime | Friday 2 pm to 2.30pm |
| Basford |
Totstime Messy Play |
Tuesday 10.30am to 11 am Thursday 10.45am to 12 pm |
| Bilborough | Totstime | Mondays 2 pm to 2:30 pm |
| Bulwell Riverside | Totstime | Monday 10.30am to 11 am |
| Clifton | Totstime | Tuesday 10.30am to 11 am |
| Dales Centre | Totstime |
Wednesday at 10.30am to 11 am |
| Hyson Green | Totstime | Wednesday 10.30am to 11 am |
| Meadows | Totstime | Friday 10.30am to 11am |
| Nottingham Central | Totstime | Thursday 10.45am to 11.15am |
| Radford Lenton | Totstime | Please contact staff |
| St Ann's Valley Centre | Totstime | Tuesday 11.15am to 11.45am |
| Sherwood | Totstime |
Friday 11.15am to 11.45am Friday 2 pm to 2.30pm Adults and over 1s will require a free ticket available from the library counter 30 minutes before the session commences |
| Southglade Park | Totstime | Wednesday 10 am to 10.30am |
| Strelley Road |
Totstime
|
Wednesday 9.30am to 10 am |
| Wollaton |
Totstime |
Tuesday 10.30am to 11am Tuesday 2.30pm to 3pm Adults and over 1s require a free ticket available from the library counter 30 minutes before the session commences |
Children with sight loss
- Giant Print and Braille picture books at Nottingham Central Library and Hyson Green Library
- Penpal to use with a special collection of dual language picture books at Hyson Green Library. Penpal provides an audio version, in a human voice, of the text when the pen touches each page. This can also be easily changed to read in different languages so is useful to parents or children with sight loss, children learning to read or children and families where English is not their first language
Nottingham Bookstart
Every child in Nottingham is entitled to two Bookstart packs:
- 'Bookstart Baby' gifted at 6 to 8 weeks by a Health Visitor
- 'Bookstart Treasure' gifted to 3 to 4 year olds by their nursery or pre-school
For more information visit the Bookstart website
Collect your free Bookstart Bears Reading Adventure story sticker book for under 5s at your local library.
Contact us:
Nottingham Bookstart,
Aspley Library,
Nuthall Road,
Nottingham,
NG8 5DD
Email: charlotte.blount@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Tel: 0115 915 2844
Nottingham Children's Book Award
Launched in 2001 and targeted at preschool children since 2008 the award aims to get young children excited about reading.
Nottingham Children’s Book Award 2019
Over 4500 children took part this year and we can now announce that the winner is...
'The Case of the Red Bottomed Robber!' By Richard Byrne (Oxford University Press)
Richard Byrne has written and illustrated 10 children’s picture books and won this year’s competition with 36% of the vote.
The runners up were:
Cake, by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet and Poor Little Rabbit! by Jörg Mühle
We loved all the books and enjoyed sharing them, don't forget to keep reading!
If you would like more information please contact Charlotte Blount: charlotte.blount@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 0115 915 2844
