Allestree Library

What it’s like

Free rhymetimes and storytimes for babies and toddlers, plus sensory board books to borrow, in a library with short opening hours.

This one's built around the very small. Storytimes and rhymetimes run for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 3, so it's not trying to hold the attention of a five-year-old, it's aimed squarely at the pram and crawling stage. There are sensory board books on the shelves too, the sturdy sort with things to touch and squeak, which suits a one-year-old who wants to chew a book as much as look at it.

It's free, which is the whole point of a library visit with a baby: no ticket to buy, no session fee, just turn up on the right day. The catch is the opening hours are short and a bit patchy. Wednesday and Saturday it's open 10am to 1pm only, so a lazy late morning won't work those days, while Tuesday, Thursday and Friday you get the fuller 10am to 4:30pm.

Rhymetimes and storytimes need booking ahead by phone, not a walk-in session, so ring before you set off if that's the plan rather than turning up on spec. Membership itself is free and a baby can have their own card from birth, which is a nice thing to do on a first visit even if they can't read yet.

Need to know

Best for

Babies and toddlers 0 to 3, not older siblings

• Storytime and rhymetime places must be booked by phone beforehand
• Wednesday and Saturday hours are shorter, just 10am to 1pm
• Sensory board books are on the shelves for the very youngest to handle

Plan your visit

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