A YEAR ago Okehampton Library was the first library in Devon to join the Sainsbury Bookstart Scheme and on May 23 it is holding a day to celebrate.
There will be a celebration tea and storytime for all the babies who have joined the library through Bookstart, a scheme to introduce infants to books and encourage parents to share them with babies at an early age.
The library works closely with health visitors who hand out special Bookstart bags containing two board books, leaflets on sharing books with babies and recommended titles. These are usually given out at the eight-month development check.
Parents who have received a Bookstart bag but not yet joined the library will receive an invitation to the celebrations if they join by Friday May 19. All babies invited to the birthday celebrations will receive a small gift.
A home economist from Sainsbury will be visiting the library between 10.30am and 12.30pm on the same day to give parents and carers of young children advice on healthy eating.
There will be sample snacks and lots of ideas to help them choose foods for a healthy diet for their child.