Skip to main content

Library services for 0 - 4 year olds

Babies and young children love books. Cuddling up and sharing a book is a wonderful way to spend time together and gives your child a head start.

Children can join the library for free at any age – either join online or simply visit your local library.

Find out more about joining Cambridgeshire libraries. Remember under-fives can have their own special library card.

Library Card small

We have a fantastic range of books for babies and young children. You can borrow up to twelve for 3 weeks at a time, all for free!

Please don’t worry about your little one being noisy in the library or damaging any of our library books. We want you to enjoy coming to the library and sharing books at home with your children. We do understand that accidents happen, and we have a policy of not charging for any books damaged by 0-4 year olds.

Library baby with library card small

Books for 0 to 4 year olds

  • Board books: sturdy books for little hands.
  • Picture books: beautifully illustrated stories to share.
  • Stories in other languages: board books and picture books for families whose first language is not English.
  • New Experience collections: comforting books to help your child face new situations such as going to the doctor’s, starting playgroup or the arrival of a new baby.
  • Parenting Collection: books to help you as a parent, offering advice on things such as weaning, feeding, potty training and coping with toddlers!

We are also able to order a Bookstart Baby pack if you haven’t received one from your Health Visitor. See our Bookstart page for more details.

dad and baby reading a book

First Steps library club

Ask library staff about joining our reward scheme for 0-4 years olds.

Collect a stamp each time your child borrows a book or visits the library.

Once they’ve collected 6 stamps, they will receive a colourful certificate. There are 10 certificates to collect.

First steps library club certificate 10 small

Events and activities

Libraries offer Rhymetimes and Storytimes as well as other activities.

Ask your local library for more information or visit: