Baby Katie- youngest library member in the country?

We've just been sent this charming story about a dad who signed his newborn baby up for a library card when she was only 2 hours and 8 minutes old so we thought we would share it with you.

>Can you tell us how you came to join your baby to the library at just 2 hours old?

New parents have a tick list of things to do on the birth of a new baby– register the birth, register with a doctor, open a bank account etc. To us, joining your local library should be an important part of this list. We both grew up as users of our local libraries, but feel that the importance of libraries in today’s super fast world is often overlooked. Books are great for enjoyment as well as learning. Therefore I made sure that Katie became a member at the earliest opportunity– and being able to join Barnsley Library Service online made that so much easier. And best of all…. libraries are a free resource…

>Are you and Mum both ' booky' people?  Do you use the library? Do you read a lot?

We both enjoy reading and use the library where we live (Scunthorpe) and in Barnsley where I work.

>Why is it important to you that your baby loves books?

Because books provide a window to the world, helping them to understand the world around them.

>Do you have other children?

Katie has an older sister, Hannah-May, who turns 2 at the end of May. We have read to her since she was born and it has paid dividends because she now has quite a large vocabulary and can identify items and colours that she sees in the books. Hannah had a Bookstart pack back in Derbyshire where we used to live, and she always enjoyed story and rhyme sessions.

>What kind of reception have you had in the library?

We have had a very welcoming reception in both libraries we use. Far from being outdated Victorian buildings, full of dusty old books, where silence is a must, libraries are modern, warm and inviting, with staff working hard to improve and enhance the services offered.

>What is Katie’s favourite book so far?

Katie’s favourite book seems to be The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. She also enjoys You’re All My Favourites by Sam McBratney. We read to her at bedtime and books always make her smile.

>Will Katie be going to Bookstart Rhymetimes/storytime sessions in the library?

We will be keen to take Katie along to any event/sessions that will increase her interest in books and libraries, as we did and do with Hannah-May.

>Do you have books in the house?

We have a large number of books in the house and Hannah-May has her own book shelf. Katie will surely want one now!

>Which was your favourite book when you were growing up?

My two favourites (dad) were the Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier and Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. Mum was an Enid Blyton fan.

>Did your parents read with you?

Our parents read to us from a very early age. As we got older, they encouraged us to read for pleasure as part of our daily routine. It helped to provide us both with a headstart at school. We both used our local library at least once a week as we were growing up. For me (dad) it sparked an interest in local and family history, which eventually led to me doing a history degree at university and becoming an archivist.

>Do you tell Katie a bedtime story / When do you share books with Katie?

We try to read to Katie and her sister every day, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Hannah-May absolutely loves books and actively brings books to us for us to read with her. Hopefully this can rub off on Katie as she grows and develops in the coming months and years. Both girls always have a bedtime story and possibly one during the day too.