Thread by @tewilliam

I want to tell you how the staff at my local library have done such an amazing job that my 2 year old daughter now begs to go there all the time. 1/

Every Thursday morning since forever, the library has run Rhyme Time. Kids can come along and sing nursery rhymes for half an hour, led by the library staff.

The staff take turns to lead it in pairs so we've got to know most of the people who work there. 2/

My daughter, like many kids, tends to hide behind my legs or plant her face in my shoulder when she's around new people.

But because of Rhyme Time the library staff aren't new - she knows every one of them and so feels at ease being at the library 3/

I first took my daughter to Rhyme Time when she was a few months old, just to get out the house.

It was a real lifeline while I was on maternity leave and trying to do something every day to keep us both entertained/sane. 4/

Since then, she's become a MASSIVE fan of the star of Rhyme Time - Bookstart Bear from @Booktrust. 5/

Every flipping day I hear about this bear.

Sometimes as soon as she wakes up, my daughter sits bolt upright and asks me if we can go to the library and see Bookstart Bear today.

There's even a rhyme about the bear that I'm persuaded to sing every time she talks about it. 6/

The great thing is that every Thursday when I let her know that, yes, today IS a day that we are going to see Bookstart Bear, she is So. Incredibly. Excited.

She cheers and jumps on the bed because today we're going to the LIBRARY. 7/

It's not just about the bear though. That's a great way to get her enthusiastic about going to the library.

But once we're there they, of course, have books. Lots and lots of children's books in particular. 8/

We've borrowed books about dinosaurs, monkeys, cooking, gardening, more dinosaurs...

She loves to look through random books when we're there even if we don't take them home.

It's a wonderful way for her to see a massive range of books beyond those we own at home. 9/

I often wonder how many other kids come and develop a love for libraries & reading - and it's great that Rhyme Time is free (though you can donate £1 if you're able).

Lots of kids' activities cost £5 to £10 per week and require payment up front for a term, excluding many. 10/

I love that anyone who can get to the library can come to Rhyme Time. It feels like we're part of a big community of parents and children locally.

And the thing is, Rhyme Time is BY FAR the most popular kids' activity we do. The numbers are staggering. 11/

Last week, I counted over 60 (yes, SIXTY) children there with us for our Rhyme Time session, and there are *two more* sessions just on that day.

The staff have to move furniture to create a buggy parking area, with an extra overflow zone.

They never turn anyone away. 12/

Most of the time, the sessions are run by one man and one woman.

This might not seem important to some, but as nearly all the parents bringing their kids are women, I've spoken to dads who find it hard to be the only audible male singing voice in a room full of people. 13/

They've said having a man lead the session as well means dads feel more confident coming along & enjoying singing with their child - which is great

I also like that my daughter sees men leading a children's session. EVERY other activity we've ever done has been led by women. 14/

The library staff have to put themselves out there to sing in front of people, but it makes a difference - not least on my child's perceptions of gender roles and stereotypes from an early age. 15/

The staff also go above and beyond when it's not Rhyme Time.

The other weekend I had to return a library book and took my daughter with me.

She's not old enough to understand my explanation that it wasn't time for Rhyme Time, so was confused when we got there. 16/

She (very shyly with half her face buried in my neck) asked the woman at the library counter where Bookstart Bear was.

The women said "oh I think Bookstart Bear's just asleep, I'll go and see" then rushed off to the staff room and... 17/

...SHE BROUGHT BOOKSTART BEAR OUT WITH HER.

My daughter was **ecstatic**

Especially because she could cuddle the bear all to herself for a minute, without having to share with 60 other kids.

Then the bear went back to bed, & we found a couple of children's books to borrow. 18/

So now for my 2 yr old the library is the most exciting place, with all its books and toy bears and staff we both recognise.

So to everyone at @WGC_Central_Lib - THANK YOU for making my child love libraries and books at such a young age. She and I will remember it 👏

/ENDS

Here are the staff I'm talking about at @WGC_Central_Lib - brilliant people! 🙌

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