Bookstart in Scotland
Scotland’s National Book Gifting Programme
T: 0131 524 0180
E: bookstart@scottishbooktrust.com
About:
Bookstart in Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and sponsored by 25 publishers to gift free packs of books to children aged birth to three. Bookstart in Scotland is administrated by Scottish Book Trust, working in partnership with the independent charity Booktrust which began Bookstart in 1992 and which manages the programme in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Click the links below to find out more about Bookstart in Scotland:
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The Bookstart programme encourages all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible, and we want every child in the UK to develop a lifelong love of books.
Working through locally-based organisations, Bookstart gives the gift of free books to all Scottish children at around eight weeks, 18 months and three years old, along with guidance materials for parents and carers. Bookstart also aims to foster a love of books through a range of fun activities. Parents wishing to receive a pack should speak to their Health Visitor or contact their local library.
Click here to download our Bookstart in Scotland - Working for You document.
Funding
Bookstart in Scotland is a public and private partnership and benefits from sponsorship from over 25 children’s publishers, Red House Books and central funding from the Scottish Government. Local Authorities and Health Boards also provide funding for the programme through the provision of local staff time and logistics solutions.
Gifting partnerships
Libraries coordinate the majority of Bookstart schemes, host events and gift a huge number of our free packs of books to babies and children. By promoting a lifelong love of books we hope to encourage families with young children to become library members and long-term active library users.
Health professionals are our principal gifting partners of Bookstart Baby and Bookstart+ packs to babies and young children. The programme complements key aspects of children's health by benefitting their development educationally, culturally, socially and emotionally.
Early Years Settings are the principal access route for children to receive their Bookstart Treasure Chest packs and are greatly valued gifting partners.
Local Authorities support Bookstart schemes by funding Bookstart Co-ordinators and project workers, providing storage and delivery of packs and promoting the programme in their local area.
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