BookTrust to help disadvantaged families engage with libraries

Children’s reading charity BookTrust will pilot a new project to support disadvantaged families in engaging with their local public library this autumn.

BookTrust Storytime is funded by Arts Council England and will work with more than 2,500 libraries to find the most effective ways of supporting families who need more help beginning their reading journeys.

The charity said the pilot also aligns with libraries’ aspirations to reconnect with their local communities after a year of closures, to kick-start visits as part of the ongoing recovery from the pandemic, and support more disadvantaged children.

It comes after a recent BookTrust survey of 1,000 families in poverty with a child under five across England, Northern Ireland and Wales revealed that less than half (49%) of these families are registered with a public library.

The project has been developed in collaboration with librarians and families to ensure the design and content reflects their experiences and meets their needs, including breaking down any limiting preconceptions, such as libraries being solely a place for reading books quietly, as well as showcasing the broader opportunities available with clear signage and a welcoming, friendly environment.

This year's BookTrust Storytime Prize shortlist, which celebrates the best early years children’s books, will be integrated into the experience and used to encourage families to make repeat visits to the library to read the different books and engage in activities on offer.

Selected by a panel of experts, the six titles in contention for 2021 are I Really, Really Need a Wee! by Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie (Little Tiger Press), Octopus Shocktopus! by Peter Bently and Steven Lenton (Nosy Crow), No! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs (Scallywag Press), The Whales on the Bus by Katrina Charman and Nick Sharratt (Bloomsbury Children’s), Lenny and Wilbur by Ken Wilson-Max (Alanna Max) and Arlo the Lion Who Couldn't Sleep by Catherine Rayner (Macmillan Children’s Books).

Families and librarians taking part in the BookTrust Storytime pilot will also be invited to take part in the vote to crown this year’s winner of the £5,000 prize, to be announced in early 2022.

The pilot itself will adopt a three-tiered approach, with different levels of library engagement. On the national tier, every library in England will be invited to take part and receive a pack of the Storytime shortlisted books, alongside access to a range of digital resources.

The learning tier will see more than 300 libraries across the country receive multiple Storytime shortlist packs, digital and physical resources to reach families, as well as running Storytime sessions for local families and taking part in the Storytime winner vote, announced in early 2022.

The pilot tier will involve 10 libraries, located in Luton (Leagrave Road Library), Lancashire (Nelson Library), Cornwall (Camborne Library), Rochdale (Balderstone Library), Bradford (Laisterdyke library), Cambridge (Wisbech Library), Rotherham (Rawmarsh Library), Hackney (Dalston CLR Library), Bristol (Junction 3 Library) and Sandwell (Stone Cross Library). They will work with BookTrust to test a range of additional ideas, materials and activities to further inspire and motivate families who need more help beginning their reading journeys.

Diana Gerald, c.e.o. of BookTrust, said: "At BookTrust we believe all children should reap the lifechanging benefits of reading, and our bold new strategy is focused on finding innovative ways to ensure children from disadvantaged families are not left behind. Working with the local authorities and library services that share these ambitions, our BookTrust Storytime experience will remind families about the treasure trove of support available from their local library, and kick-start visits as we emerge from the pandemic. Through this pilot, we will work with our library and local authority partners to test and learn how families can be best supported to engage with their local public library and make sharing stories a regular part of family life."

Isobel Hunter, c.e.o. at Libraries Connected, added: "Projects like BookTrust Storytime are vital because libraries are places of possibility with the power to change lives. With libraries gradually reopening, we are thrilled to be working with BookTrust to celebrate and showcase the invaluable role they play within the community, and to create innovative new ways of ensuring that families and young children from all backgrounds have access to high-quality, engaging public library experiences that reflect, respond and support their needs."