Children and Young People's services
All of Hackney’s eight libraries contain well-stocked children’s sections with staff able to give information on finding the right book or toy for your child.
Under-5s and young children
Under-5s and their parents or carers can enjoy reading and learning together at dedicated story time and singing sessions, while the toy library provides a wonderful opportunity to borrow from a great selection of toys, absolutely free.
The Bookstart Programme is a national initiative which gives free books to babies and young children up to the age of 4 and support materials to parents and carers. The Libraries Service also provides the Book Crawl library joining incentive, the Bookstart scheme for blind and partially sighted children, and Baby Rhymetime. Reflecting the diverse community of the borough, we also provide further Bookstart materials in dual-language format in six languages
Chatter Books Reading Groups allow children aged 8-12 to share their love of reading and enjoy quizzes, competitions and visits from local authors at CLR James Library. Visit the Libraries What's On page for more information.
School groups are welcome at all Hackney libraries; younger pupils can enjoy story telling sessions while older children learn how to get the most from the technology on offer.
Find out more
Each library has its own programme of activities for children. For specific information, please contact individual libraries.
Teens
Need help with your studies? Want to join other young people in enjoying and sharing books? Need advice about school, training and careers? Look no further than Hackney libraries who offer teenagers a whole range of facilities.
Teenage Reading Club: The group meets once a week during term time and gives young people aged 16-19 the chance to get together in a stimulating environment to share books and join in activities designed specifically for their age group.
The Homework Zone: The Homework Zone offers young people aged 12-16 a quiet place to study, revise or write coursework with a team of staff available to offer guidance and advice. The club also offers free access to computers to allow internet research.
To find out where your nearest Teenage Reading or Homework Zone club is, visit the Libraries What's On page.
Find out more
Dawn Hendrickson
Tel: 020 8356 5237
Email: dawn.hendrickson@hackney.gov.uk
Page updated: 31 Jan 2008