First baby to be registered in 2025 joins the library!
Two week old baby Harris today (6 January) became the first Midlothian baby to have his birth registered in 2025. Harris was born over the festive break on 20 December. Congratulations to the proud parents Eilie and Marc.
Joined library
Harris also today became the newest and youngest member of Midlothian Libraries when his parents signed him up under the Every Child a Library Member (ECALM) programme.
Every Child a Library Member
The ECALM programme makes it even easier for children to join the library. Parents can now sign up their children for library membership as soon as they are born when registering the birth of their child. Nursery and primary school enrolment also offer a chance for children to join the library.
Family joined also
Harris's mum Eilie and two year old brother Lewis were also able to join Midlothian Libraries during the birth registration visit.
Best start
Everyone wants the best start for children and the things parents do now can set them up for life. A simple thing they can do to help their child is to sign them up as a library member.
Special place
Libraries are a special place to visit with your baby because they promote talking, singing, reading, and playing with your child. All things that can help them build emotional and early literacy skills that will benefit their future.
Key benefits of libraries for children:
- They offer a safe and trusted space for parents and young children to explore together.
- They provide access to a wide range of free, quality books for babies and for the whole family eg from story books to advice for parents on weaning and sleep training.
- They offer a great way to connect with other new parents through Bookbug sessions and other free activities
- They also provide E-Books, E-Audio, E-Magazines and access to free Wi-fi and computers
Easy to join
If your child doesn’t already have a library membership, they can sign up today either online or by visiting their local library. A parent or guardian just needs to provide ID at the library counter showing their name and address.
First step on a learning journey
Midlothian Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for libraries, Councillor Ellen Scott said: “Midlothian Libraries fully support Scotland’s campaign to make every child a library member. The benefits of getting a child a library membership are huge. Not only do children get access to free learning materials but libraries can also help with social and emotional development. Library membership is the first step on a learning journey which will last for a lifetime – and most importantly our librarians are fantastic fonts of knowledge!”