We give each baby born in our city area a welcome bag. We have a sponsor (a very generous local book shop) that provides a board book - especially developed for new borns. As well as the book we provide information on the importance of reading to babies, a small booklist of good books to read to very young children aged up to about 12 months, and registration forms for the baby and mum. This is all placed in a library book bag and presented to the new baby at the hospital. Children born at home are harder to get the bag to, but midwives help us out there. Our library has a relationship with the local hospital and operates a library service for patients. The staff who work in this capacity deliver the bags to the babies. The system seems to work well - and parents are thrilled with the gift. Hospital staff are very supportive as well.