Deliver BookTrust Storytime

This programme aims to encourage new families to visit the library. We know there are barriers, which could include:

• Physical barriers, like transport or location
• Social barriers, like feeling nervous entering the library for the first time (which our research shows is very common!)
• Economic barriers, like being worried about paying surprise fees
• The fear that their child might be disruptive or unfocused.

We found that reassuring families once they got into the library encouraged them to visit again! This is also a subject you can bring up when talking to community partners.

• We know that building relationships with new families can take a while. That’s why BookTrust Storytime runs every year to help you build important relationships with your local community.
• Working with partners who have already built trust with families can give you a head start when promoting your events. In previous years, libraries found success in reaching out to local nurseries, children centres, local baby and toddler groups and more.

Here’s how a library in Leicestershire organised pick-ups and drop-offs when working with a new community partner:

• Use BookTrust Storytime posters to advertise your activities. Great places to display these include local supermarkets, parks and community centres.
• Use social media to get the word out! We’re sharing social cards for you to download and use.

• You could create fun and enticing displays in entrance ways to direct families to the children’s area.
• We have posters for you to use inside the library too (you can download these from our resources page)!

• We’ve designed the BookTrust Storytime resources to be flexible – for example, the sticker books can be used when a child takes out their first book, and when they are invited to a Storytime event, they could collect a sticker for each book. It’s up to you to decide how to use the resources as you know your community best – but we’d love to hear what’s worked for you!
• Hear about BookTrust webinars through our newsletter to get inspiration from other libraries and partners, share your ideas, and give us feedback.

• Make families feel at ease. Set expectations early. For example, make sure that parents and carers know it’s fine if their children aren’t sitting still quietly.
• Think about the age range of the children at the session. If you have a lot of younger children attending, try sharing shorter stories.
• Mix it up. Be flexible – include a combination of interactive rhymes and stories to keep the energy levels up.