The Library's Little Readers scheme ensures that every child under 4 in Guernsey has some books to call their own.
What is it?
Run in partnership by the Library, the States Health Visiting Team, and the Trustees of St Martin’s Community Centre, Little Readers provides the Health Visitors with free books to give children at each of their preschool health checks.
How does it work?
If you’re a parent of a young child, you can expect to receive a free bag of books at their 9-12 month and 2-2.5 year health checks. At the 3-3.5 year health check, you’ll be given a voucher to take to the Library to exchange for another book bag. The bags also contain rhyming sheets, as well as tips for parents to encourage reading and literacy at home.
Why is it so important?
Reading is vital in the early years – it develops language skills, fuels imagination, boosts brain development, and is the number one predictor of future educational success. In other words, reading is good for you! Sadly, many children don’t have books at home – in the UK as many as 10% don’t own a single book.
Of course, everyone has free access to the huge collection of books at the Library. But this initiative goes one step further, ensuring that every young child on the island has some books of their own to enjoy. That’s important for all children, but especially those from low-income families or vulnerable backgrounds.
Thank you to the Trustees of St Martin’s Community Centre for supporting the Little Readers project. Their help means that all young children in Guernsey can discover the magic of reading.
