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

Give your child the best start in life through reading! Our libraries offer a vibrant selection of children’s books to suit all tastes. If you can't get to a library you can explore our Libby collection with fresh eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines added every month. Plus, enjoy fun activities like reading challenges, author events and more!

Our regular activities 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.
  • S.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.

2025 Summer Reading Challenge: Story Garden

The Summer Reading Challenge is a fun, free way to help children keep up their reading skills over the summer holidays while making happy memories. Pop into your local library to sign up—kids get an activity pack and collect stickers for each book. Read six to earn a medal and certificate!

2025 Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden

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.

Digital resources for young readers

  • Libby app

    Libby eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines

    An iPad open at the Library catalogue page, colourful book covers

  • Homework resources

    Explore our dedicated children's section, where you'll find a range of engaging resources, designed to support your child's learning journey.

  • Coderdojo

    Glasgow Life Libraries have a network of free Coderdojo coding clubs for young people (ages 8-17).

    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.
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

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 all 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

A glimpse of our library spaces

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

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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!