HAWICK Library celebrated the launch of its revamped junior section with a special Bookbug session for young children and their families.

The popular library was closed to the public for one week last month whilst it underwent refurbishment. Now its youngest customers can enjoy a warm and welcoming, brightly-painted junior library complete with modern shelving units, comfortable seating and colourful wall displays featuring characters from treasured children’s stories.

Library staff revealed they felt that a special get-together of its fun and friendly Bookbug Session—which gives parents and young children the opportunity to spend quality time together in a relaxed environment enjoying stories, songs and rhymes—was the perfect way to welcome families to the new-look space.

Gill Swales, Scottish Borders Council’s Young People’s Services Co-ordinator, said: “Bookbug Sessions are well-attended across the Borders and have lots of benefits for children. They help children to build their confidence and social skills, give their speech and language development a boost and, of course, improve their literacy skills.

“Even our youngest guests, who may not be able to join in with the songs or actions, enjoy the repetition and rhythm of familiar rhymes such as Incy Wincy Spider and Pop a Little Pancake. Parents do not have to worry about little ones making a noise or moving around the library during the session because, most of all, Bookbug is for fun!” Bookbug Sessions are part of the Scottish Book Trust’s early years programme. They are free of charge and take place throughout the week in each of Scottish Borders Council’s 12 libraries, with one also being held in the Connections centre in Selkirk. Each session lasts around 40 minutes and there is no need to book. To find out more, pop in to your nearest library or visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/libraries