Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Press Release
20th March 2009
Stornoway Public Library Celebrate Success of New Music Initiative
Bookstart Rhymetimes Celebration Day
Babies, toddlers and their parents were gathered together on 20th March at Stornoway Public Library to celebrate the success of the recently launched Bookstart Rhymetimes initiative, which involved the creation of free singing and rhyming sessions throughout the area, supported by Comahirle nan Eilean Siar, Bookstart, Scotland’s National Book Gifting Programme, and The Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative.
The Bookstart Rhymetimes Celebration Day tied in with Stornoway Public Library celebrating their 10th Birthday at 19 Cromwell Street in Stornoway.
The Celebration Day included a special Bookstart Rhymetime, stories and arts and crafts activities and brought together parents and children who have attended and enjoyed the new sessions over the past few months, as well as encouraging new families to get involved.
Bookstart Rhymetimes, held in libraries and other community venues, are free, fun sessions for parents and children aged birth to five, combining books, rhymes, singing and play. An extension of the Bookstart programme, they complement the gifting of the three free Bookstart packs to all children in Scotland, and highlight the Bookstart message by encouraging parents to share stories and songs with babies in a fun, exciting way.
The initiative has been developed as an extension of the existing Bookstart Rhymetimes programme, and is intended to ensure that all parents and carers have access to these sessions, by providing in-depth training, resources and Bookstart Rhymetime toolkits to local authorities throughout Scotland.
So far two Library Assistants, Kay Mackinnon and Marsali Macleod, who are also the Bookstart Co-ordinators for the Western Isles, have participated in the Bookstart Rhymetime training and they have held nine sessions to date, all of which have been very successful and well supported. Now that their training has come to an end, Marsali and Kay plan to hold regular sessions in the area and they have already been invited to attend a number of Mother and Toddler groups.
On a national scale, over 220 staff from local authorities across Scotland have participated in the training, resulting in many more free sessions becoming available to the public. A total funding package of £201,930 has been committed by the Scottish Arts Council and Bookstart in Scotland to deliver the project.
Elaine Macmillan has attended sessions with James and Kate and is keen to encourage others to attend:
“It’s brilliant and we hope that it becomes a regular feature at the Library. The children loved the touchy/feely toys that were used and passed around amongst the children during the session”.
Kathleen Milne, Team Leader: Youth Services with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, is delighted with the success of the sessions in the local area:
“The Bookstart Rhymetimes training is run by some of Scotland’s leading music educationalists and early year’s experts, and this has been reflected in the high quality sessions that our staff now deliver to families in the area.
“The celebration day was held to mark the success of the sessions – they are becoming increasingly popular and are building momentum all the time, with most people hearing about them through word of mouth. Parents love to come along and enjoy some special time with their child, learn new songs and rhymes and have a catch up with new friends. The children just love all the new and wonderful experiences that they can enjoy at each session. We hope Bookstart Rhymetimes will go from strength to strength in the area. It was an extra pleasure to be able to hold our Bookstart Rhymetime Celebration in conjunction with Stornoway Library marking its 10th year at Cromwell Street. It was a lively and enjoyable day for all.”
Additional aspects of the project include the insertion of‘Bookstart Music for Baby and You’ CD and poster into the Bookstart Baby bag.
The next Bookstart Rhymetime session will take place on 31st March at 1.30pm in Stornoway Public Library. No pre-booking is required.
For further information about Bookstart Rhymetimes please contact Helen Croney on 0131 558 1111 or email helen.croney@booktrust.org.uk.
About The Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative:
The Youth Music Initiative (YMI) is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Arts Council. By 2011 a significant £66.9million will have been invested in music making activities across Scotland putting music firmly at the heart of young people’s lives and learning.
The YMI has been a resounding success and has had a huge impact on the provision of music making activities for children and young people across Scotland. Amongst its key achievements are that children now have access to one year’s free music tuition by the time they reach Primary 6, as well as increased opportunities for out of school hours participation providing Scotland’s young people with the opportunity to develop musical skills and appreciation and experience the personal, social and educational benefits that accompany these activities.
The YMI promotes, supports and develops music making activity for young people aged 0- 25yrs. One of the key areas the YMI has identified within the National Youth Music Strategy is the further development of music making for the early years.
More information can be obtained from www.scottisharts.org.uk/ymi
About Bookstart in Scotland:
Bookstart is Scotland National book gifting programme. Its purpose is to encourage all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible.
Bookstart is sponsored by 25 children’s publishers and in Scotland the programme is centrally funded by the Scottish Government.
Working with locally-based organisations, such as health visitors, librarians and early years settings, Bookstart gives the gift of free books to children at around eight months, 18 months and three years, along with a message to the parents about the enjoyment and benefits of book-sharing.
The programme also aims to foster a love of books through a range of free, fun activities for children aged birth to four, such as Bookstart Rhymetimes.
We want every child in the UK to develop a lifelong love of books.
For further information or press enquiries about Bookstart in Scotland please contact Helen Croney or Caroline McLeod. helen.croney@booktrust.org.uk or caroline.mcleod@booktrust.org.uk or 0131 558 1111.
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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822622 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
Ruairidh Maciver
Communications Assistant
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822615 (Work)
Tel: 07881 774601 (Mobile)
email: ruairidh.maciver@cne-siar.gov.uk
