Library Services for Children and Young People
Welcome to Birmingham Young Libraries online
Tell us what you think of YOUR pages by emailing us at:
young.libraries@birmingham.gov.uk
IMPORTANT CHANGES
New Library Catalogue
The new library catalogue is now available. You can renew and reserve books and search for titles online. Find out more or go straight to the Children's Catalogue.
New Loan Period - 21 Days
From Wednesday 28 November 2012 Birmingham libraries will begin trialling a 21 day loan period for books. This trial will last for 12 months and after this we will ask for your views.
Closure of Centre for the Child
Staff at Centre for the Child are busy getting everything ready to move to the brand new Library of Birmingham which opens on 3 September 2013. Centre for the Child has therefore now closed. There is a small selection of books for children and young people to borrow which can be found on the first floor of Central Library along with a small collection of fiction books for adults. We apologise for any inconvenience caused while we get ready for your brand new Children's Library in the Library of Birmingham. www.libraryofbirmingham.com
Hours extended at some community libraries
Birmingham has 39 Community Libraries and until September 2013, those closest to the City Centre - Spring Hill, Ward End, Erdington and Handsworth – will open longer.
Birmingham's Young Poet Laureate
The Young Poet Laureate for Birmingham for 2012-2013 is 17 year old Claire Guest. The announcement was made on National Poetry Day, 4 October. Claire will be writing and performing poetry throughout the year and will have the exciting prospect of being in post when the new Library of Birmingham opens in September 2013. Find out more about Claire and read the fabulous poems she submitted when she applied to be our new Young Poet Laureate.
The Great Kindle Relay Project - ebook now out!
6 weeks + 6 schools + 1 author x the possibilities of new technology = 1 exciting new piece of digital storytelling! Birmingham Libraries’ Young Readers Festival worked with author Simon Cheshire and six Birmingham schools to create a new piece of writing exploring the new possibilities an ebook reader provides. Follow the blog, find out what they came up with and add your own ideas! Just what did happen when the CocoPups meet Shredrick the Zombie Shreddie...
Check out the Gigglefest blog
Thanks to everyone who came along to Gigglefest 2012. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Highlights included two brilliant animation workshops, the wonderful Shoofly Theatre, a mysterious magician (and his furry friend!) and favourite kids' comedians, James Campbell and Ian Billings.
Check out the Gigglefest Blog written by our very own Amanda Cadabra. There are lots of pictures, videos, jokes and more. Keep giggling!
Bookstart
All babies and toddlers are entitled to two FREE Bookstart packs before they start school. The bags contains books, information and other goodies to help parents and carers to start sharing story time with their babies and toddlers. Central Library services deliver Bookstart Baby packs to our local libraries and they link with local Health Centres. Parents are then given them at their babies' health checks. LEA nurseries, private and voluntary nurseries begin receiving their Treasure Chest packs for children aged 3-4 years from October.
More information about the scheme can be found on the Bookstart website: www.bookstart.org.uk
Give a child a head start
Sharing books with children really helps them at school and beyond. Whether you read to your own child, a younger brother or sister, a grandchild or niece or nephew, you'll be setting them up for a lifetime of enjoyment through books. Why not join the host of authors and celebreties taking part in the Bookstart 20th anniversary campaign, including Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, Hugh Dennis, Kirsty Wark, Lauren Laverne and Cerys Matthews. Pick up a postcard from your local library and pledge to read 20 books with a child in 2012.
Holocaust Memorial Day Poems
Each year on 27 January we remember the events of the Holocaust. Our Young Poet Laureate, Damani Dennisur read the poem First They Came at a special ceremony at the Town Hall. We have created a reading list for young people and a list of informative websites on the subject. Some of our previous adult and young Poets Laureate have also written commemorative poems over the years to mark this important day.
Online fun with Stories from the Web
If you use Birmingham Libraries, you can log on to the amazing Stories from the Web site for free! Find out all about your favourite authors, read book extracts, join in with the competitions or play online games. Just ask at your local library for your secret password and then you can use the website at home or in the library.
Write a Review!
Did you know you can post a review next to any book in our library catalogue? Just search for the title you want and when you find it, click on the Add a Review link. You can also give it a star rating. When anyone else searches for that book they will then be able to read your review. You can also share your thoughts with other young people by writing to us at young.libraries@birmingham.gov.uk Here are some reviews by young library user Heena.
Listen to a story for free
You can now get free audiobooks 24-7 using the new Netlibrary service! There are nearly 50 titles for children and over 25 for young adults with more added all the time. Featuring bestselling authors such as Philip Pullman, Meg Cabot and Justin Somper there is something for all ages. Sign up at your local library and then choose your books in the comfort of your own home!
Our Favourite Books
Looking for something really great to read? Staff in Birmingham Libraries have chosen some of their favourite books to recommend to you. Choose from picture books, story books for children or fiction for young people. To reserve a book, just click on the link and you can pick it up from your nearest library!
Children's University
Is your school signed up for the Children's University? Did you know that you can get your special passport stamped at four libraries around the city - Bartley Green, Glebe Farm, Castle Vale and Centre for the Child at Central Library. Plus - look out for some great online activities with Stories from the Web at these libraries which will count towards your learning hours. Coming soon! If your school isn't yet joined up, find out more about the Children's University at: www.birminghamchildrensuniversity.co.uk
Children's Promise
We want you to enjoy all the fantastic things that Birmingham Libraries have to offer for children and young people. To make sure that you know all about us, we have written down a promise about what we will do for you. The Children's Library Promise was written with help from children who use Birmingham Libraries. The children involved also met author and illustrator Steve Smallman who designed this lovely dragon!
Homework Help
Find out where your nearest Homework Help session is, browse our A-Z of useful Homework websites or check out our Hot Topics factsheets on Global Warming and London 2012. For all this and more, visit the Homework Help webpages.
Stop Bullying Now!
Our Stop Bullying webpage contains a useful booklist full of stories about how children and young people can deal with bullying. It includes pictures books, novels for teenagers and non-fiction and there are also lots of useful links to find help online. Plus; check out Poems Against Bullying, written by a local school for National Anti-Bullying week and previously displayed in Spring Hill Library.
Online fun and games for pre-school children
Looking for something new to entertain your toddler? Why not check out our selection of websites featuring favourite story book characters such as Maisy Mouse, Thomas the Tank Engine and Spot. Play simple games or print out colouring and activity sheets. You can even print your own party invitations or send an e-birthday card to grandma! They're easy to use and lots of fun.
Please note: We are not responsible for the content of other organisations' websites.