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 on Thursdays at 2:15pm
01360 440407

Bannockburn Library
Fortnightly on Thursdays at 2:15pm
01786 812286

Bridge of Allan Library
Weekly on Fridays at 10am
01786 833680

Callander Library
Fortnightly on Thursdays at 10:45am
01877 331544

Cambusbarron Library
Fortnightly on Mondays at 10:30am
01786 473873

Central Library
Fortnightly on Wednesdays at 11am
01786 237760

Central Library (Gaelic)
Monthly on Fridays at 11am
01786 237760

Cornton Library
Fortnightly on Fridays at 10:15am
01786 237904

Drymen Library
Fortnightly on Fridays at 10:30am
01360 660751

Dunblane Library
Fortnightly on Thursdays at 10:30am
01786 823125

Doune Library
Fortnightly at 9:30am
01786 841732

Fallin Library
Monthly on Tuesdays at 2:15pm
01786 812492

Killin Library
Weekly on Tuesdays at 2:15pm
01567 820571

St Ninians Library
Fortnightly on Tuesdays at 9:45am
01786 472069

Thomas Graham Library (Strathblane)
Monthly on Fridays at 2:30pm
01360 770737

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.

Suitable for children age 4+ must be accompanied by an adult

Are you a master builder? Come to one of our library Lego sessions and see what amazing things you can build. Our Lego sessions currently run at the following libraries (term time), some sessions continue over the school holidays contact your local library to confirm.

Bannockburn Library

Weekly on Mondays at 3:15pm (drop-in)

01786 812286

Bridge of Allan Library

Weekly on Mondays at 3:00pm (drop-in)

01786 833680

Cornton Library

Weekly on Saturdays at 10:00am (drop-in)

01786 237904

Doune Library

Weekly on Saturdays at 10:00am (drop-in)

01786 841732

Dunblane Library

Monthly on Mondays at 3:30pm (contact library for dates)

01786 823125

St Ninians Library

Fortnightly on Tuesdays at 3:30pm (drop-in, contact library for dates)

01786 472069

Stirling Libraries annually support and promote a Summer Reading Challenge of reading and activities. It’s the UK’s biggest reading for pleasure programme for children aged 4 to 12, delivered via public libraries.

For children who took part in 2023:

• 80% read more over the summer holidays
• 70% improved their reading skills
• 72% felt more confident about their reading

How it works:

• Children sign up through their local library and receive a collector’s poster.
• They set a reading goal and borrow books of their choice during the summer, collecting special stickers and incentives.
• Library staff and volunteers help children to discover new books that suit their interests and reading level and run a programme of free themed activities in the library.
• Children who complete the Challenge are presented with a certificate and/or a medal.
• Children can take part online, too! summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

Combining FREE access to books at local libraries with creative activities to take part in during the summer holidays, the Summer Reading Challenge is the perfect way to support your pupils’ learning during the holiday period.

In Stirling we also join forces with local partners to give children participating in the Summer Reading Challenge free access to different activities in our area. Our free activity partners for 2024 include, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, The Peak and The National Wallace Monument.

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.