New library program comes to the NICU at Surrey Memorial Hospital

Chloe Humphreys, Manager Youth Services, Surrey Libraries; Priya Nebin from Surrey Memorial Hospital; Yasenia Ricardo, Youth Services Librarian, Surrey Libraries; and Kelly Jackson from Surrey Memorial Hospital standing in front of the Gentle Start Library book cart. (Surrey Libraries)

By Raynee Novak

Posted April 29, 2026 7:27 pm.

A new partnership between Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) and Surrey Libraries is bringing library books to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU).

The Gentle Start Library project will provide each of the NICU units at SMH with a collection of board books, allowing for engaging reading for all ages during their stays at the hospital.

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The initiative has the aim of sharing the “joy” of early literacy and to foster a sense of belonging for families as they spend their time on the NICU.

“Surrey Libraries is committed to supporting our youngest residents and their families,” said Lisa Werring, chair of the Board of Trustees at Surrey Libraries. “By bringing books and library services directly to the NICU, we are helping parents nurture their baby’s development from day one.”

The Gentle Start library will also feature a roaming cart to provide extra books for older siblings as well as books in other languages so that each room can be customized and updated according to a family’s needs.

Library staff will also provide outreach, lead early literacy classes for caregivers, and create baby’s first library card.

Funding for this project was made possible through Surrey Libraries donors.

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