Children's library

Joining the 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 for under fives

Bookbug Sessions

What are they?

Free, friendly, fun sessions of songs, rhymes and stories for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families and carers to enjoy together. Each session lasts around 30 minutes and has been designed to support children's development while having fun. They take place in a very relaxed environment and are a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your little one, and meet other families.

For more information:

• Bookbug Session Dates, Times and Locations
• Bookbug Session Songs and Rhymes
• About Bookbug and Bookbug Sessions

Libraries for children and teenagers

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
• Information and facts to help with school topics or just to read for the fun of finding out

Young Adults

One Card, one library

If you are at secondary school you might already have a school library card which will give you access to both your school and public library. Ask your school librarian for details.

Young Adult - a selection of the latest books for those in the early years of secondary school.

• Fiction - from Action Heroes to Vampires and Fantasy to Gritty Drama there is a great choice for everyone to enjoy.
• Graphic novels - Comic books with titles from Marvel, DC Comics, Manga and many more.
• Information - Factual books covering a wide range of subjects, useful for homework or just for fun!

eBooks and audiobooks

We have a great selection of ebooks and audiobooks suitable for children and young adults available on our ebook website. It's free to use, available 24/7 and you don't have to worry about returns.

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 Scottish Book Trust

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.