Stoke-on-Trent Libraries
Stoke-on-Trent Libraries welcome children. Go along and join in activities, choose books to borrow from our vast collections and go on the computers to surf the web.
They know that babies and toddlers can be noisy – don’t worry they want children to talk about the books they have read and the activities they have joined-in with.
Children are welcome to borrow up to 20 books for three weeks and don’t worry, there are no charges for any damage that may be caused by children who are under 5 or for any books that are late if they have been borrowed on a child’s ticket.
It is FREE to join the library and borrow books if you live or work in Stoke-on-Trent.
What can you borrow?
Where are the libraries in Stoke-on-Trent?
Story Times
Bookstart
Homework clubs
Holiday activities
How to join
Contact the Library
What can you borrow?
- Board Books
- Picture Books
- First Facts
- Story Books
- Information Books
- Book and Toy packs
- Large Print Books
- Books in other languages
- Revision and study guides
- Teenage Books
- Story tapes and CDs
- Parents information Books
- Play4Life Activity Bags (4-7 years of age and 8-11 years of age), free to borrow
They have books for all children. The books are split into three levels:
- Starters
- Beginning to Read
- Storybooks
The Children’s Books section on the Stoke-on-Trent City Council website gives more information about these.
For a small charge it is also possible to borrow music CDs, videos, DVDs and Playstation games.
It is also possible to use the internet free of charge and at some libraries there are After School Homework Clubs.
Where are the libraries in Stoke-on-Trent?
There are 10 libraries in Stoke-on-Trent. They are in
| City Central Hanley | Meir |
| Tunstall | Bentilee |
| Burslem | Kingsland Children’s Centre |
| Stoke | Trentham |
| Fenton | Haywood |
| Longton |
There are also mobile libraries.
Story Times
| City Central Hanley Library : | Saturdays | 11.00am – 11.30 am |
| Longton Library: | Monday | 11.00 am – 11.30 am |
| Trentham Library: | Wednesday | 10.30 am – 11.00 am |
| Fenton Library: | Thursday |
10.30 am – 11.00 am |
|
Tunstall Library: |
Mondays |
1.30pm – 2.15 pm |
- Meir Library also do Story Times on a Monday 10.15am -10.45am
- Bentilee Library also do Story Times on a Friday 11.00am - 11.30am
Story Times are for under 5s. Everyone is welcome to go along and join in with the wonderful world of stories. All children must be accompanied by a parent/carer.
Bookstart
Bookstart packs can be collected from all libraries.
Bookstart Book Crawl is for children under 5. Under 5s who borrow up to five books will be presented with a certificate – there are 5 of these to collect, so start visiting and borrowing now. To find out more visit the Bookstart Book Crawl website.
Homework Clubs
Brainwaves is for children who are aged over 8. For help with homework finding information and fun educational activities.
Holiday Activities
Libraries regularly hold activities during school holidays contact City Central Hanley Library to find out more.
How to join
Anyone can join the library – even babies – there are no age limits and it’s FREE
Simply call into any of the libraries in Stoke-on-Trent, collect and complete a membership form (children under 16 will need their parent or guardian to sign for them). You will need to show official proof of your name and address (something like a bill or medical card). When you have done this you will be given a card you can use at any library in Stoke-on-Trent to borrow books, tapes and use the computers.
Group tickets are available for Childminders, Playgroups, Parent and Toddler groups and After School groups.
Contact the Library
For more information about the libraries in Stoke-on-Trent visit the Stoke-on-Trent library service website or call City Central Hanley Library on 01782 238455.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that one in ten children in the U.K (approximately one million) have a speech or language difficulty?
In Stoke on Trent the figure is much higher than this - evidence from Sure Start local programmes suggests that more than half of the children in Stoke on Trent are at risk of a language or speech delay. This will impact significantly on the child's ability to learn and on future opportunities in life.
