Children are being given a love of books from an early age thanks to trailblazing library scheme in Sandwell.
The Booktastic scheme gives reception age children at every Sandwell primary school a special library card and encourages them to visit their local library to borrow books.
Four and five-year-olds borrowed almost 12,000 books over the last school year and there are now a record number of young children who are library members - standing at nearly 13,000 members through the Booktastic scheme.
This week, children from Mesty Croft Academy visited Wednesbury Library for a session called Buzz Buzz Bumble Bee and to be presented with their library cards.
Each reception child across Sandwell is given a special Booktastic membership pack, including a membership card, folder and information about the library service.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Simon Hackett said: “It’s so important that children learn to love books and reading from a young age.
“I set up the Booktastic scheme and it’s now in its fourth year - it’s really popular with children and families. It raises awareness of how great our libraries are and how valuable it is for children and their education to enjoy reading.
“Children who read for pleasure have higher literacy levels and achieve better results at school, so our libraries are great places for children to come along, choose some great books and really learn to love reading.”