Introduce your child to the joy of the library – it will shape a lifelong love of reading and learning
As we celebrate World Book Day today (Thursday 23 April), we are reminded of the importance of reading and the power of books to shape children’s learning, develop their imagination, create dialogue, connect generations and promote cultural exchange. World Book Day 2026’s theme is “Go All In” and aims to encourage children to dive deeper into their passions through reading.
I can think of no better way to celebrate World Book Day than by visiting the library. Your local library is the ideal place to explore the magical world of books.
Discover books we’ve reviewed and recommended here.
all you need
My local library is equipped with everything the community needs. A dedicated section for children’s books, aisles of novels with that distinctive book smell and books on almost every subject. Memoirs, autobiographies, history, geography, art, music, language, cooking – whatever your interest, the library has a book about it.
Then, for those who struggle to read words set in a tiny font, there’s a section of books with large text. Plus, art prints, DVDs, audio books and CDs are available for borrowing.
Beautifully polished wooden tables and comfy chairs invite you to sit and pore over encyclopaedias and reference books. During my childhood, those tables were often occupied by high school and university students paging through reference books and making copious notes.
In later years, banks of computers and printers appeared. For a nominal fee, you can book an hour spot at the computer, undertaking research or just surfing the web.
why it’s such a special place
Nowadays, with the internet readily available in our homes, on devices and smartphones, it’s easy to consume all your entertainment online. So, fewer and fewer people visit the library, but I encourage you not to give it a miss. Apart from losing out on making precious childhood memories, there are plenty of other reasons to visit your local library.
It’s free
In a world where everything costs a lot, the library allows you to borrow books to read, audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs, especially as a library card is free. Access fun stories for children, encyclopaedias, reference books or novels for you. There’s plenty of variety with new books added constantly.
There are fun activities
Most libraries offer fun activities and programmes for children and adults. From weekly story time, holiday activities and special events like a puppet show for the children to markets and fairs or even classes, you will find something to get involved in.
It’s full of resources
Apart from the books, libraries offer a variety of other resources. The librarians are resourceful and knowledgeable – they’ll help you find a book you’d be interested in reading, direct you to a parenting book that could answer your questions or assist in finding the best source of information for your child’s school project. Plus, they often list their recommendations and reviews of books, making selections easier.
A sense of community
Most importantly, the library is an integral part of any community. Firstly, there’s often a community room, where a variety of talks, events or classes take place. Secondly, the community notice board displays pamphlets, notices and adverts from people like tutors, local businesses, or services offered in your community. My local library even serves tea twice a week – a wonderful opportunity for people to mingle and talk books!
Children can learn
Visiting your local library teaches children responsibility (caring for the books) and independence (choosing the books they want to read). Brightly coloured decorations, large floor cushions and pint-sized tables and chairs make the children’s section appealing. Low shelves with easy-to-understand sections allow children to pick and choose their books.
Then, there’s the joy of story time! My favourite memory is attending the Saturday morning and school holiday story time sessions. During those one-hour sessions, I’d sit cross-legged on the floor, entranced and magicked away to a make-believe world by the stories being read or related.
Most importantly, hearing a story read aloud helps children learn new words, use their imagination and develop important comprehension skills.
Read more about the importance of reading aloud here.
Spending as many hours in a library as I did as a child (and still as an adult) shaped my love of words, books and communication forever.
Child Magazine
