Libraries Week takes place between the 8th and 13th October celebrating the nation’s much-loved libraries. This year the focus is upon wellbeing, with libraries across the country showcasing how they bring communities together, combat loneliness, provide a space for reading and creativity and support people with their mental health.
The technological advancements in recent years has brought with it many social changes with many now feeling ‘lost’ without access to the internet. We have all become familiar with Smart Phones, tablets, Smart TVs and we now even read books on these devices. Inevitably, this has led to the closure of 233 public libraries between 2010 and 2016.
A market research report shared earlier this month by Childwise found that 75% of preschool children now have access to a tablet, phone, PC or laptop – a staggering 42% higher than four years ago. However, the report concludes that traditional activities still remain popular among tech-savvy pre-schoolers, with one in three parents reporting that they frequently go to the library with their child and half of parents said they partake in arts and craft activities regularly with their children.
At Abacus Ark we have also adapted to the technology available, introducing interactive tablet tables in the nurseries for educational activities. However, traditional activities will always be important learning experiences and we encourage our Key Teachers to also plan for more traditional activities, such as a visit to the local library.
Often Pre-schoolers at our Wandsworth and Maida Vale Nurseries will visit their local library to collect books for their bi-monthly topics and sometimes the children’s librarian will read them a story or even visit the children at nursery.
Find the addresses below for our local libraries. You could even pop by and borrow a book to extend learning at home and support our current topic of ‘Ourselves’.
Abacus Ark Maida Vale
Kilburn Library Centre
12-22 Kilburn High Road
NW6 5UH
Abacus Ark Clapham Junction
Battersea Library
265 Lavender Hill
SW11 1JB
Abacus Ark Wandsworth
Wandsworth Town Library
11 Garratt Lane London
SW18 4AQ
Fore more information visit: http://www.librariesweek.org.uk/
