Scots families encouraged to love their local library

The ‘Love Your Library’ campaign aims to inspire families to visit their local library and enjoy a range of free services that can make reading, writing and counting with their child an easy, fun and enjoyable experience.

Read, Write, Count is a Scottish Government-led campaign which aims to improve key numeracy and literacy skills among children in primaries one to three across Scotland and has identified libraries as a key setting to support this.

In celebration of ‘Love Your Library’ and National Libraries Day, star of CBeebies show Katie Morag, Cherry Campbell, singer and presenter, Michelle McManus and family entertainment group, Funbox will be reading from their favourite books with families in a series of readings in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Families can drop into the free story time sessions in Gorbals, Lochee and Wester Hailes libraries at 2pm this Saturday (February 6).

As previously announced, the Scottish Government has allocated £198,000 of funding to support partnership work in libraries.

As part of this every library in Scotland will receive a Read, Write, Count partnership pack containing library card holders, activity sheets, stickers, posters and other resources. Grants to buy new book stock and eye-catching book stands are also being provided to libraries in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning, was joined by Cherry, Michelle and Funbox to celebrate the launch of the campaign today at Gorbals Library, Glasgow.

She said: “The Scottish Government is proud to have partnered with libraries for the next phase of the Read, Write, Count campaign.

“We know learning doesn’t stop at the school gates and libraries play a crucial role in supporting early learning in communities across Scotland.

“During children’s critical first years of school reading, writing and counting together can support their learning and help with their concentration, behaviour and making friends. It can also boost their confidence and happiness.

“I want to support parents and make it easier for them to be involved in their child’s learning outside of school. Libraries don’t just provide reading material, they offer a welcoming environment for families to enjoy time together and help develop children’s literacy and numeracy skills.”

The national drive includes a new TV advert, supermarket advertising and a website that provides parents and carers with tips and advice about fun and interesting ways to boost counting and reading skills in a variety of every-day scenarios.

The campaign, which is being delivered in partnership with Education Scotland and Scottish Book Trust, builds on existing Scottish Government efforts to tackle educational inequalities and raise attainment in early years and beyond.

Read, Write, Count offers information on how you can bring fun and learning into everyday activities with your child to help them shine.

Whether that be a visit to the local library, going to the shops, travelling to school or at mealtimes, Read, Write, Count has a wealth of ideas that will help children do their best at school. Visit www.readwritecount.scot or join Read, Write, Count on Twitter and Facebook for great tips, activities and ideas.