Free Storytelling and Craft Activities at Shipley Library

So sad to read today's tweet about  Bradford Central Library in the T&A. I feel the need to fight on behalf of one of our other local libraries – Shipley Library, to avoid at all costs a repeat of such a rapid decline.

When I walk into most libraries these days, all I generally find is a hub of under 25s updating their Facebooks and a smattering of pensioners taking advantage of the free newspapers. I have to say if I didn’t have a toddler, I would have little reason to venture out to my local library either (I do most of my reading electronically or through Amazon) but this is only because there is never a Faber to be found.

Saying that, the children’s sections are definitely worth a weekly visit. When I was a little girl, we were taken religiously to the library to update our books. I still remember by detail some of the illustrations in my favourite ones. Everything about the library entranced me – the smell, the silence (in those days they didn’t let children natter quietly let alone have races from one shelf to the other, like I recently witnessed), the inky stamps and most memorably, the gentle librarians who knew me by name. Last month, I took Esmé to that very childhood library in Clonmel, Ireland and my favourite librarian was still there, filing away. I’m sure she wore the same knitted red cardigan. Now that’s dedication to a cause.

Shipley Library is one of Esmé’s current preferred haunts. We’ve been going there since she was 8 weeks’ old. Every Tuesday at 14:00 sharp, they run a free storytelling and craft time for under 5s. Josh and Tracey are the friendly librarians who run the sessions. They read 3 books between them while the children gather around them on a brightly coloured mat. Well, most children sit, Esmé’s gotten to that stage where she likes to wander off under chairs or tries to crawl up Josh’s legs in a bid to turn the pages for him. After the stories, the children sit around round tables and get to make a craft based on the story theme. Our playroom is now decorated by scaly fish, feathery peacocks, springing frogs…all made at Shipley Library.

The main reason we go back there is the friendliness of the librarians. When we arrive, Tracey always greets Esmé by name and stays behind after the craft has finished to play with the children, read them more stories and make the whole experience more than merely a book drop-off, pick-up exchange. The walls and windows are brightly decorated and the hard board books are within easy low-lying reach of the toddlers. Though I spend half my time re-stacking books Esmé and her little friends have made a game of pulling out of the boxes.

You might already be aware of this but throughout Bradford Council, you can return books at any library. So for instance, you might go to the session in Shipley, then return the books at the Bingley branch if that’s closer to home. You can take out up to 20 children’s books at a time and there are also no charges for late fees on children’s books – try not to abuse this system though, otherwise there will not be enough books to go around for those of us who want regular book changing!

The Bookstart Bear Club is another great initiative and well worth joining. Just sign up with proof of address and your child will get a little book of boxes to be stamped at each visit, one for taking out books and one for visiting the story session. When they collect a certain amount of stamps, they get a certificate and a free prize. We’ve gotten DVD vouchers and a free swimming pass so far. It’s a great way to keep the motivation and reward levels high.

What’s not to love? Your little one will not be disappointed by a trip to Shipley Library.http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10138751.Massive_decline_in_visitors_at_Bradford_Central_Library/?ref=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter