Children and families

Helping give young people the best start in life
Five seated children all laughing and smiling towards a person (not seen) sitting and reading a book.

How Glasgow Life Libraries can help you and your child

Reading from an early age helps to give young people the best start in life. 

We welcome everyone to our libraries and want children to discover the joy of books and reading. We have a fantastic range of children’s books in all our libraries as well as a children's section in each library. We also run regular activities as well as reading challenges and author events.

We offer free and fun activities to keep everyone entertained and it can also be a fantastic way to meet and chat with other parents and carers too.

Our regular sessions include:

  • Bookbug: Songs, stories and rhymes for under-fives, including babies and toddlers. 
  • Lego Fun drop-in: Aimed at children aged five to 11, who can let their imagination run wild as they build and play.
  • T.E.A.M: Science and technology with arts and crafts, Lego and K’nex workshops for those aged five to 11.
  • CoderDojo: A network of computer coding clubs for young people aged eight to 17.
  • Children’s craft clubs: Themes include the seasons, space travel and sport. Get creative with pens, pencils, crayons, colourful paper, ribbons, wool, glue, and pipe cleaners.
Small child with dark hair, sitting on the floor with their back to the camera reading a book and pointing at the words and fish images. They are wearing wellington boots.

Every Child A Library Member (ECALM)

Here at Glasgow Libraries we want Every Child A Library Member.

A library card is one of the best gifts you can give your child and its free!

Join the library

Reading from an early age is great for imagination and creativity, as well as language skills. Enjoying books together is a fun way to spend time as a family.

Events and activities for children and families

Bookbug

Bookbug

Monday 14th Oct 2024 - Monday 22nd Dec 2025
Various Locations
Bookbug

Lego Fun

Saturday 26th Oct 2024 - Saturday 20th Dec 2025
Various Locations
Lego Fun
Three young people (cartoon images) smiling. One on the left and right are working at a computer and the person in the middle is raising their hands and looking happy.

Coderdojo

Glasgow Life Libraries Coding Clubs

Glasgow Life Libraries have a network of free Coderdojo coding clubs for young people (ages 8-17). A chance to learn how to be creative with code, while having fun and making new friends.

Find out more

Our libraries

Multicoloured letters on a window in Barmulloch library - spelling out 'Reading is the window to your world' there are also coloured paper butterflies. You can see out in to the street beyond the library.
Barmulloch Library window - Reading is the window to your world
Brightly coloured children's section of Gorbals Library. Lots of boxes filled with picture books and red, yellow, blue and green coloured chairs.
Gorbals Library children's section
Primary aged child sitting reading a book, in a reading tunnel in the children's section of Woodside library
Child enjoying a book in Woodside Library
Adult reading from a picture book about wild animals to a small child
Adult reading to a small child in Knightswood library
Children's area in Shettleston library
Brightly coloured children's area in Partick Library. There are round stools, coloured chairs, bright carpets and lots of books.
Partick Library children's area
Young child sitting reading a book in Partick library. In the background is a frieze of Glasgow showing a crane, trees and people.
Child reading in Partick library

Our library activity programme includes reading challenges and author events for everyone to join in.

Group of children in a library smiling and listening to someone reading a story

Search our library events and activities

From free baby and family activities to coding clubs, our libraries cater for all ages.

What's on in Glasgow Life Libraries

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The 2024 Wee Write Family Day at The Mitchell Library was a huge success with families enjoying author talks, fun experiments, arts & crafts, storytime and so much more!