Literacy is everywhere and libraries are for everyone, including babies and young children.
There are some simple things you can do as part of your daily routine to help your child's language development, and support their reading and learning. Start when they are newborn and keep going as they get older!
Did you know that 1 in 5 Australian children are developmentally behind in their language skills before they even start school? Take a look at the Proposed National Early Language and Literacy Strategy and find out about this issue and what is proposed to address it.
Get some simple tips on how to read with your child from four months to three years with The Smith Family’s Let’s Read brochures.
Book suggestions for 0-3 year olds
Reading tips in English and other languages (including Arabic, Bangla, Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Nepali, Spanish and Vietnamese)
Download our Early Literacy Calendar for some simple ideas and activities for you to incorporate language, literacy and numeracy development everyday at home.
Check out our videos to watch and listen to library staff read Australian picture books for 3-5 year olds and sing rhymes for 0-2 year olds.
Find out what great programs are happening for kids in libraries near you right now.
We offer regular programs, as well as programs for school holidays and special events. Look out for online programs as well.
Discover resources you can borrow for young children including: picture books, board books, and audio books, plus digital resources like Story Box Library and eAudio books you can access from home. As children get older we have early readers, novels and other resources they can borrow.
To help support kids, and their parents and carers, the Community Services Directorate has created information and activity booklets in collaboration with mental health and wellbeing professionals. They include resources for kids, their parents/carers and schools. Download the booklets using the link below.
Wellbeing, Resilience and Gratitude Community Activity and Resource Pack
Watch videos of our Family Literacy Coordinator and get some quick tips about bringing reading and literacy into your children’s daily routine.
18 February - 15 April | Fridays fortnightly
Join us for new Sensory Story Time, a program aimed at engaging your child in activities supporting the development of social play and literacy.
Click to find out more about the program, register for a session and access supporting resources