Libraries for children and families

There are so many ways to enjoy books and reading with your family at Stirling Libraries. You can join the library at any age and access a fantastic range of children’s books from board books for babies to downloadable audiobooks for teens. We have fun, free, activities, groups and events for all ages and interests so visit your local library and find out what’s on!

• Brightly coloured board books, lift-the-flap books, touch and feel books and nursery rhyme books for babies.
• Picture books, phonics books and easy reads for toddlers and children who are learning to read
• e-audio, audio books on CD and Playaway (MP3 player)
• e-books for children and young people (via Libby app and Borrowbox app)
• Books in foreign languages
• Books to support health and wellbeing
• Official SQA past papers
• Books with dyslexia friendly font
• Fiction, non-fiction, topic books for all ages
• Comic and graphic novels

Our libraries run lots of different activities for children and families, this includes Chatterbooks our children’s book group, storytime and craft sessions, Lego clubs and Young Writers, as well as Bookbug sessions for babies and toddlers. For information on what activities are running in your local library see the website page about your local library or our ‘What’s on Page’. We run regular reading challenges and host special events throughout the year.

Bookbug sessions are free, friendly, fun, and have songs, rhymes and stories for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families and carers to enjoy together. Each session lasts around 30 minutes in a relaxed environment and has been designed to support children’s development while having fun.

Bookbug Sessions are running in Stirling Libraries as detailed below. Numbers are still limited so please phone each individual library for details on how to book a place. Bookbug sessions run fortnightly during term time, unless otherwise stated.

Balfron Library (Monthly) Thurs 2:15pm 01360 440407

Bannockburn Library Thurs 2:15pm 01786 812286

Bridge of Allan Library Fri 10:00am 01786 833680

Callander Library Thurs 10:30am 01877 331544

Cambusbarron Library Mon 10:30am 01786 473873

Central Library Wed 11:00am 01786 237760

Central Library Gaelic (Monthly) Fri 11:00am 01786 237760

Drymen Library Fri 10:30am 01360 660751

Dunblane Library Thurs 10:30am 01786 823125

Fallin Library (Monthly) Tues 11:00am 01786 812492

Killin Library Tues 10:30am 01567 820571

St Ninians Library Tues 9:30am 01786 472069

Bookbug encourages parents and carers to share books with their children from as early an age as possible to inspire a love of reading in every child.

There are four fantastic free bags of books for young children

• baby bag – from your health visitor when your baby is 3-5 weeks
• toddler bag – from your health visitor when your child is 13-15 months
• explorer bag – from nursery when your child is 3
• primary 1 family bag – from school when your child is in P1

Gaelic bookbug bags are also available for families interested in Gaelic. Tactile books are available for children with additional support needs alongside their bookbug bags. Bags can be requested at libraries, nurseries or from health staff. 

Bookbug is Scottish Book Trust’s national Early Years programme. As a national charity, Scottish Book Trust delivers the Bookbug programme locally by working in partnership with local library and education services and third sector organisations. To support local delivery of the Bookbug programme, Scottish Book Trust provides its partners with training, advice and Bookbug bags of books.

We can compile a personalised selection of books for your group or centre. If you prefer, you can visit library headquarters in person to choose your own.

Book collections are issued twice a year in January and August. Delivery is either directly to the group or via the local community or mobile library (depending on the location of the group's premises). Books are returned in the same way.

We believe that joining your local library is one of the best things you can do for you and your family. Borrowing books is free (no fines for late returns) and visiting your library is fun!

Stirling Libraries are committed to a national initiative to ensure Every Child A Library Member. We offer library registration at birth through our Registrars (Tell us Once), online, and in-person in any of our libraries.