BookTrust Storytime to return in September with extended experience

BookTrust Storytime is returning this September and will be extended to a nine-month experience to enable libraries to provide “multiple opportunities” for continued engagement with families. 

The pilot programme launched last year to help disadvantaged families engage with their local public library and initially ran for six weeks across 2,500 libraries. The extended programme has been designed in response to an “overwhelmingly positive response” from libraries, the charity said. 

This year’s programme will see all libraries receive copies of the BookTrust Storytime Prize shortlist for 2023, as well as digital tools and support. BookTrust will also be developing a complementary bilingual pilot for libraries in Wales.  

Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: “Developing our reading support for low-income families in the early years is a key priority for BookTrust, so children can enjoy the life-changing benefits of reading. BookTrust Storytime forms part of our wider approach to offer families multiple and targeted opportunities to share stories together as early as possible, laying the foundations for an ongoing reading habit.  

“Thanks to the support and expertise of libraries last year, we were able to test new ways of supporting families through BookTrust Storytime. Together we learnt so much about new ways to reach families who were not library users and how to create a fun, engaging experience that encourages families to share books and stories with their children. With six fantastic new books to share as part of this year’s pilot we will continue to support libraries to engage thousands of new families, inspiring the next generation of readers.”