Book Babes

Objectives• The project• Progress • Future

Introduction • Bookbabes = innovation • Adding value = a baby book giving scheme• Mem Fox • Folder• Other information

BookBabes at Mona Vale?

• Project development• Babies born in Pittwater from Jan, 2008• Administration and Promotion• Launched February 2008

Why Bookbabes?• 2020 Strategic Plan• Supporting our community• Connecting our community• Health and wellbeing• Friendly, creative lifestyles• Quality educational opportunities

Why Bookbabes?• 2006 census – 3,566 0-4 year olds• 6.4% since 2004• Early literacy• Quality knowledge and information• Human Capital Agenda

Inspiring, stimulating and creating a love of reading

• Bonding • Promoting the library• Promoting a lifelong love of books • Library membership• Long-term active library users

Bookstart, UK• 1992 and initially involved 300 babies• By 2001 - 1.1 million babies • Growth and major sponsorship• Partnership working

Bookstart, UK• Extensive research• Books• Library visits• Increased readiness for school• Improved educational standards

Branding• Strong branding = successful project• Both sexes• Creates a good first impression • Versatility of the branding

The Future – what we would like to see

• Raised profile • Best practice• 1st Birthday card• Annual events – a BookBabies Day• Extension of the scheme – to follow • Partnership working

Every Child Matters

• The future• Social Inclusion• Early language and literacy skills• Library as Third Space

Every Child MattersBookbabes Plus

• 2 – 4 year olds• Age related easy reader• Branded colouring book and crayons• Reading, literacy and other Council services

Every Child MattersBookbabes PS

• Pre-school age children• Satchel style bag – starting school• Textas and notepad• Activity book• Reading, literacy and other Council services

Conclusion• Promoting the library• Supporting early education• 215 members• Represents more than one third of all the babies born in Pittwater

QUOTE

“Bookbabes is a real breakthrough.It provides that extra dimension in helping bring books and babies together, and the social interaction is very important aswell, in connecting with like-minded Mums.Having this support is very important, especially to new Mums as we have enough on our plate!. But the thought and structure that’s gone into Bookbabes is just fabulous. And it’s a real investment in the community and to each of us as individuals. Thank you.”