Libraries

All of our libraries have books for children, from board books for babies through to graphic novels and teenage fiction.

There's also children's titles available to download from our eBooks and eAudio website for kids and teens.

Bookstart

Bookstart is a national programme that gives free books to every baby in the UK. It also gives guidance for families to inspire, stimulate and create a love of reading. It'll give children a flying start in life.

Sharing books with babies and toddlers helps early language development. It also helps children to understand their world around them. Enjoying books, stories and rhymes together supports emotional wellbeing. It strengthens the bond between parent and child.

Find out more about Bookstart

Newborn pack

This black and white booklet contains high-contrast images. It's designed to engage newborn babies when their eyesight is still developing and stimulate healthy brain connections. This will help support early learning. These are gifted in your baby’s first few weeks. Please ask your Specialist Community Public Health Nurse(SCPHN/Health Visitor) for more details.

Find out more about the newborn pack

Bookstart baby pack

This free gift is for every child in their first year of life. You should receive your book pack at your baby’s 6 to 8 week developmental assessment. If your baby hasn't received their pack please speak to your SCPHN. You could also collect a Bookstart Baby pack from your local library instead.

Whilst you're there, you can explore what else is on offer at the library. Choose and borrow books for you and your child. You can also join in with story and rhyme times or other activities.

More resources are there for families who need extra support. This includes dual language books for those with English as an additional language. Bookstart also have sensory packs for children with visual or hearing impairment or fine motor delay. Local family hubs have a limited number of Early Years packs. These are for children living in the most disadvantaged communities.

The BookTrust Family hub has more resources to help build your child’s reading journey. This includes hints and tips on how you can enjoy sharing books with your child. There are also book recommendations and ideas for fun activities.

Visit the Bookstart baby pack webpage to find out more. You can also contact us online for more details or enquiries.

We have stories of all kinds, poetry and factual books in our children’s library collections. From Horrible Histories to classic novels, along with the best books from today’s children’s authors too. There’s plenty of choice for readers of all abilities. 

If you need help with homework we can recommend books for you to study. You can also use our free online reference resources, either at home or in a library.

Each year we also run the Summer Reading Challenge throughout the summer holidays. With a different theme each year, activities, prizes and points to collect along the way, it’s great fun for readers of all ages.

Explore science

Our Reading Sparks bags for 8-11 year olds let you explore science activities at home. It contains all the resources you need to complete science experiments including a fabulous book to spark further scientific thinking. Just search for 'Reading Sparks' on our library catalogue to see what we have available.

You can also enjoy our series of children's science videos that are available on Barnsley Libraries YouTube Channel and use the worksheets below to join in from home.

• Mini chromatography - butterflies
• Nature sun catcher
• Wind turbine
• Make your own kite
• Magnet garden
• Ice decorations