Children’s reading charity BookTrust will run the BookTrust Storytime initiative at more than 2,500 libraries across England.
Launching in the autumn, the large-scale national pilot, created with the support of library partners including The Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians (ASCEL), Libraries Connected, The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and Youth Libraries Group (YLG), will bring together local authorities, libraries, authors and illustrators to test new ways of inspiring shared early years story experiences through local libraries.
BookTrust said the project has been developed in collaboration with librarians and families to ensure the design and content reflects their experiences and meets their needs.
Its aims include breaking down any "limiting preconceptions", such as libraries being solely a place for reading books quietly, as well as "showcasing the broader opportunities available" through clear signage and a welcoming, friendly environment.
Insight from the co-design process found that families are more likely to return to the library if they have a positive, fun first experience and can see the enjoyment and benefit experienced by their child.
The BookTrust Storytime experience will offer a range of resources for librarians alongside activities for families designed to "bring the magic of reading to life", and to inspire sharing stories and visiting the local library to become a regular and long-lasting part of family life.
Details of the initiative follow a recent BookTrust survey of 1,000 families in poverty with a child under the age of five across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, which found that fewer than half (49 per cent) of them are registered with a public library.
Diana Gerald, chief executive of BookTrust, said: "At BookTrust we believe all children should reap the life changing benefits of reading, and our bold new strategy is focused on finding innovative ways to ensure children from disadvantaged families are not left behind.
"Working with the local authorities and library services that share these ambitions, our BookTrust Storytime experience will remind families about the treasure trove of support available from their local library and kickstart visits as we emerge from the pandemic. Through this pilot, we will work with our library and local authority partners to test and learn how families can be best supported to engage with their local public library and make sharing stories a regular part of family life."
Annabel Gittins, vice chair of ASCEL and library development manager for Shropshire, said: "With books and reading at their heart, libraries offer connections and support for every age and every stage through a myriad of projects that allow families to be creative, to feel included, and above all experience kindness.
"BookTrust Storytime resources will enable libraries to play a key role in local Covid-19 recovery not only by supporting local authority priorities around the development of early speech, language and communication skills in pre-school children, but also enticing more families to recognise libraries as their space to explore, with opportunities available for all age groups."
