News January 2007
Library Membership Campaign
The Bookstart Bear, the Nutcracker Ballet, and homework classes, are just a few things on offer at Hackney’s libraries for children and teenagers. Children in particular are being encouraged to discover the treasures that lie behind the library doors over the holiday season.
Children under five will be able to enjoy a special story time session and meet the Bookstart Bear at Clapton, Stoke Newington, and Hackney Central libraries, in December and January. Those aged between three and ten years can enjoy a special children’s performance of the Nutcracker ballet, performed by local ballet company Balletomane. The magic of ballet will be brought alive by costumed dancers in tutus, sword fights and princes.
There are free book offers for youngsters as part of the Bookstart scheme, which aims to inspire, stimulate and create a love of reading to give children a flying start in life. Children from birth to three years old will receive three packs of free books.
Hackney libraries have also launched Bookstart Book Crawl to encourage children and carers to make good use of the library in a fun way. Every time a child, up to the age of four years old, borrows a book from the library, they get a free sticker. Once they’ve collected five stickers they’ll receive a free certificate featuring illustrations by a famous author. With five certificates to collect there’s plenty to enjoy.
There are more schemes to encourage children to discover the joys of reading such as the Booktrust initiative, where they have linked up with publishing company Pearson, to give a Booktime book pack to each child soon after they start school. This will include the classic, ‘Hairy Maclary’s Bones’ by Lynley Dodd, and a guide for parents to help make reading time fun.
Information can be found at a local Hackney library over the next two terms. A second homework club for secondary school students is now running at Hackney Central Library and Museum, and Stoke Newington Library. There’s plenty of access to books and computers and trained staff are available to assist with homework.For any questions about library services for children contact Dawn Hendrickson on 020 8356 5237. Membership at any of Hackney’s seven libraries is free and easy. All that’s required is a document displaying name and address.
Bookstart Bear
Stoke Newington Library, Wednesday 10 January, 2.00pm to 3.00pm.Hackney Central Library, Friday 12 January, 11am to 12 noon.
Nutcracker ballet
Stoke Newington Library, Saturday 20 January, between 10.00am and 11.30am.Homerton Library, Saturday 20 January, between 2.00pm and 3.30pm.
Free entry. Bookings must be made in advance - Stoke Newington Library on 020 8356 5231 or Homerton Library on 020 8356 1690.
Homework club
Hackney Central Library and Museum Thursday or Friday 3.30 to 5.30pm or Saturday 11am to 1pm.Stoke Newington Library, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Library cards
Choose from six new designs:
Page updated: 28 Feb 2007