South Ayrshire Libraries
Children's Library
Join the library and open up a whole new world for your child. There is a great
selection of books to capture their imagination and encourage a lifelong love of
reading. Remember, you are never too young to join and library membership is FREE;
children can have their own library card from birth, and they have their own separate
area within each library. There are lots of free activities for our youngest members,
like Bookbug Sessions, where babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their parents/carers
come together to enjoy rhymes, sing songs and listen to stories.
Libraries are not just about books, we also offer free access to computers and some
of our larger libraries have Game Zone areas. Throughout the year we have lots of
library events and activities to keep children entertained as well as reading schemes
and competitions.
Books and eReads
More kids reading more!
Encourage your child to enjoy reading by sharing stories, rhymes and pictures.
Books for the very young
- board books for babies and very young children
- favourite character books like Kipper, Peppa Pig and The Gruffalo
- a great variety of attractive picture books for you both to share
- simple information and facts on the world around us, nursery rhymes and counting
books
Books for the independent reader
- Young Reads to build reading confidence
- Fiction – a great choice, with something for everyone to enjoy
- Guts and Gore – excitement and adventure especially for boys
- Sugar and Spice – all things nice for a girl to read
- Information and facts to help with school topics or just to read for the fun of
finding out
Talking books
Books on CD - ideal for those long car journeys or when you are just too tired to
hold up a book! There are lots of your favourite authors to choose from – Jacqueline
Wilson, Michael Morpurgo, Steve Cole and many more. Find children’s books on our
library catalogue.
eReads
We have a great selection of eBooks and eAudio suitable for children available from
our eRead website or
why not download the
eRead mobile app and download books on the go! For instructions on how to
download eBooks and eAudio or to check if your device is compatible with this service
visit our eRead help.
Computer and Game Zone
Computers
Computers are available to use FREE at every library with Internet access and the
full Microsoft Office suite. We also have scanners, colour laser printers and photocopiers
should you need to make any copies. Computers can be booked by telephone or you
can book a
pc online. To book, or log on to use the computers you will need your library
card number and PIN code. (We can’t monitor your child’s surfing for you, so children
under 12 year must be supervised by a responsible adult).
Game Zone
If you have an Xbox 360 but want to compare it to the PS3, or just want to try a
different gaming format - we have Xbox 360s’ and PS3s’ consoles available to use
FREE within some libraries and a selection of game titles suitable for all ages.
Please note: games and consoles are not available to borrow.
Homework help
There are lots of ways we can help you with your homework in the library:
- friendly staff to help you find the information you need
- free computers and internet access
- lots of books
- a quiet place to sit and study
- free printing (up to 5 sheets)
Free online resources
Can’t find a book on your homework topic or project or just desperate for really
up to date information? Then visit My Library Anytime for free access to online
resources. Only library members can access these resources but you don’t need to
come into the library as they are available 24/7 on the library website.
Information for Parents, Carers and Teachers
Library visits
The Children’s Librarian is always happy to talk to children or adults and visits
to the library by nurseries, schools and other groups/clubs for a variety of activities
can be arranged by contacting Tel: 01292 272232 / 272247 or Email: carnegie.library@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Discover reading
The Discover Reading programme is designed to demonstrate to teaching staff that
class visits to libraries can enhance their literacy programmes. It meets all four
strands of the Curriculum for Excellence and its main aim is to get ‘more kids reading
more’.
Through a variety of games, activities and talks children are encouraged to read
more widely (and more reluctant readers to start reading for pleasure). Throughout
the sessions reading is regarded as a fun activity increasing children’s confidence,
enthusiasm and enjoyment in reading.
Discover information
The Discover Information programme looks at the best way to find information from
various sources, both book and online. It offers activities for children to explore
some of the best information resources and encourages children to see the library
as one of their most useful information resources, as well as encouraging them to
view visiting the library as a positive and fun experience.
Scottish Children's Book Awards
Libraries work with invited class groups throughout South Ayrshire to take part
in this annual event where children throughout Scotland can read and vote for their
favourite book. For more information visit www.scottishbooktrust.com
Author talks
Authors do visit South Ayrshire libraries, however as numbers for talks are limited,
the Children’s Librarian is happy to talk to groups of children, or parents and/or
teachers, to promote different authors and different genres of books.
Greenaway shadowing
Working with invited class groups to shadow the best picture books published in
the UK. For more information visit www.ckg.org.uk
Christmas storytelling
Join the festive fun each year as Primary 1 children visit their local library for
Christmas stories.