Children of any age can join the library and get involved.
Join the Library Service (opens in new tab)Each library has:
- a bright and welcoming children’s section with storybooks for all ages and information books to help with homework and leisure.
- computers and internet access including free wifi
- online resources, reference material and links to other useful information that can be accessed at home or in the library
- printing, copying and scanning services
- regular events and activities as well as special holiday events and an annual summer reading challenge
Children who listen to stories learn lots of new words and sentences. Learning to enjoy books gives young children a good start when they go to playgroup, nursery and school.
What's more, reading is a great way of sharing time together and its fun!
You're never too young to join the library. Babies and toddlers really are welcome in libraries even if they are sometimes restless and noisy.
We want children to enjoy libraries and learn to love books from an early age.
Your local library has a range of books for babies and pre-school children including board books, picture books, nursery rhymes and books in Welsh.
Ask for a Book Crawl collector card at your local library! Get a sticker each time you visit the library and collect colourful certificates.
Baby Rhymetimes and story times are held in all our libraries. Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers love songs and stories so come along and join in the fun!
Contact your local library for more information.
Mothers are welcome to breastfeed their babies in all libraries.
Starting Young
Children who listen to stories learn lots of new words and sentences. Learning to enjoy books gives young children a good start when they go to playgroup, nursery and school.
What's more, reading is a great way of sharing time together and its fun!
You're never too young to join the library
Babies and toddlers really are welcome in libraries even if they are sometimes restless and noisy.
We want children to enjoy libraries and learn to love books from an early age.
Your local library has a range of books for babies and pre-school children including board books, picture books, books in Welsh, nursery rhymes and poetry.
More than just books
Come and enjoy Baby Rhymetimes, story times and holiday activities. Library members can use our public computers and free internet access via wifi is also available.
The Bookstart Book Crawl
Ask for a Book Crawl collector card at your local library!
Get a sticker each time you visit the library and collect colourful certificates.
Better with books
All families have questions or difficulties from time to time. The Better With Books collection contains books giving useful information about a variety of subjects, such as bullying, sleep problems, divorce and many other issues.
Playgroups and Toddler Clubs
If you are a registered childminder or are involved in running an under 5s' group you can borrow up to 20 books at a time for your group to use.
Library staff are always pleased to arrange playgroup and toddler club visits.
For further information, contact your local library.
The Better with Books scheme provides self-help books to children and young people to help them deal with emotional issues and give additional guidance.
The books include topics such as:
- bereavement
- divorce
- bullying
- low self esteem
- depression
- puberty
- anger
Research has shown the effectiveness of high quality self-help books.
Children and young people in particular may find it difficult to talk about their emotions. Reading a book may help them understand their feelings and give them advice on how to cope.
There are also books available to help guide parents and guardians.
Reading groups for children and young people aim to inspire young people to read adventurously, develop confidence in expressing their opinions - and have a good time reading and talking about books! Participants find the sessions fun, friendly, social and confidence building.
Why not come along to one of our groups to try new stories and take part in craft activities?
We currently have ‘Chatterbooks’ clubs for 7- 11 year olds and 11+ reading groups running in our libraries.
These clubs and reading groups run every four weeks, get in touch with your local library to find out more. There are limited spaces available so sign up soon!
Bookstart is a national programme co-ordinated by BookTrust to encourage families to visit the library and share the joys of reading and looking at books with babies and toddlers.
You should receive your bilingual Bookstart Baby pack from your health visitor in your baby's first year, and your bilingual Bookstart Early Years pack from your health visitor when your child is aged 18-24 months.
For further information visit www.booktrust.org.uk (opens in new tab)
All Torfaen Libraries offer homework support and provide a safe and comfortable environment where children can meet friends and use library resources to help with their studies.
Internet access, free print-outs and photocopies are available, as well as a wide range of information books and study space.
Library staff are on hand to offer advice and guidance where needed. We won’t do your homework for you, but we’ll help you do the best you possibly can!
The Summer Reading Challenge takes place in libraries every year during the summer holidays. It’s great fun and is a highlight of the holiday for thousands of children, but it also helps ensure reading skills don’t dip over the long summer break. Children who take part in the Challenge return to school in September as more fluent, confident and happy readers.
Taking part is easy and it’s totally FREE. The aim of the Challenge is for children to read six or more library books of their choice over the course of the summer and into September. They can read any books they like: fact books, stories, joke books, picture books – audio books and e-books too! As long as they are borrowed from the library, they all count.
There are stickers and other rewards to collect along the way – all FREE.
And now, all year round, the Summer Reading Challenge website (opens in new tab) helps you keep track of your reading, find new books to read, take part in competitions and play games.