776 babies receive free library access through Stoke-on-Trent initiative
My First Library Card scheme completes successful first year
A initiative by Stoke-on-Trent City Council has successfully granted 776 newborns free library access in its first year, affirming the council's commitment to early childhood development.
Launched in September 2025, the My First Library Card scheme encourages parents registering their newborns to sign them up to their local library from birth.
Alongside the library card, parents receive information on services for young children, part of the city council’s efforts to ensure the best start in life for all children in Stoke-on-Trent.
Funding of £3,925 from Arts Council England and Libraries Connected supported the initiative, highlighting the importance of early literacy and accessibility.
Councillor Sarah Hill praised the scheme's impact: “It is brilliant to see that so many babies have been given library memberships in just one year of the My First Library Card scheme. Reading to your baby and enjoying books together helps them in the development of their language and communication skills. With library membership, it means parents can access books for free, as well as e-books and audiobooks and don’t have to worry about the costs.”
Stoke-on-Trent libraries also offer sessions aimed at babies and toddlers, featuring songs, rhymes, and movement to aid speech and language development.
For more information, visit Stoke-on-Trent Libraries' website dedicated to children's activities.