In Calderdale, under-16s benefit from no fines and easy instant joining. This is because accidents happen. We do not charge for damage to board and picture books issued on an under-5s' ticket.
- Computer use and Internet access is free.
- All our PCs have USB ports, so you can save your work or bring files you have already made. You can book ahead, just ask at the library, also see: Internet and computing.
- For homework, where there is no loanable source, you can have up to four copies or computer printouts, free.
- We often have authors and artists visit us. Entry to these events is usually free, but there can be a small charge.
For under 5s
Bookstart
BookTrust offers a free Bookstart Baby Pack to every baby aged 0 to 12 months.
Your health visitor or another health professional should give you this. It will help you share stories, rhymes and songs together.
Bookstart Baby Pack
Every baby gets a free Bookstart Baby Pack, which has:
- An engaging book chosen by experts, such as health visitors and librarians.
- A colourful finger puppet.
- A fun leaflet for parents and carers about the benefits of sharing rhymes and stories with babies.
Bookstart Family Hub
Here you will find:
- Hints and tips on how you can have fun sharing stories with your child.
- Details about BookTrust's Early Years offers.
- More things to do and books they recommend to continue your reading adventure.
For more about BookTrust, visit: BookTrust.
BookTrust Storytime
For more about this, visit: BookTrust Storytime for families.
Count Me In 1, 2, 3
This inspires learning about numbers through picture books. There are three packs and each has a book, games and things to do that are fun.
Families can borrow these packs from all our libraries.
For more details, contact our Early Years librarian:
- Email: kelly.hopkins@calderdale.gov.uk.
- Phone: 07759 364901 (mobile).
Storytots
Free storytelling sessions for children aged 2 - 4 years (during term time)
Stories, songs and crafts suitable for pre-school children. Weekly sessions run at Akroyd, Brighouse, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Northowram, Sowerby bridge and Todmorden.
For more details, email: kelly.hopkins@calderdale.gov.uk or reading@calderdale.gov.uk.
To book your place, visit: Calderdale Libraries (TicketSource).
Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Songs and rhymes are the best way to introduce the magical world of language and literature.
Come along to our free Baby Bounce and Rhymes for 30 minutes of songs and rhymes.
You and your baby will explore traditional songs and rhymes and add new ones to your repertoire.
- Monday mornings at King Cross.
- Tuesday mornings at Brighouse.
- Thursday mornings at Halifax.
- Friday mornings at Elland.
For more about events at our libraries, see: Library events.
To book your place, visit: Calderdale Libraries (TicketSource).
For primary age children
Reading Sparks
Fun things to do to get children excited about science. You can borrow an activity bag and explore the experiments inside.
Reading Sparks brings together science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) themes with creative arts and reading.
LOTE4Kids
For more about this, please see: eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eComics.
Comics Plus
This offers thousands of comics, graphic novels and manga titles to readers online.
- You can access it with a smartphone, tablet or web browser.
- You can download comics to more than one devices.
- There is never a wait to read any titles.
For access, log in to: Library Pass
Useful web links
- Tiny Happy People (BBC).
- HomeTime (BookTrust).
- Bitesize (BBC).
- Cbeebies stories (BBC).
- Teachers, schools and early years (National Literacy Trust).
- 50 Things to Do Before You're Five in Calderdale.
- I CAN.
- Tate Kids.
- Today on HomeTime (BookTrust).
- Learn and play (Words for Life).
- NewsWise (National Literacy Trust).
For schools
Class visits
Arrange a class visit to any of our libraries. These can be regular events or one-off sessions.
We have a range of options to promote reading for pleasure amongst your pupils, such as:
- story times;
- library activities;
- and the chance to borrow books.
Please contact us.
Contact us
The Reading and Development Team:
- Email: reading@calderdale.gov.uk.
- Phone: (01422) 392619.