Middleton Library is an historic building dating from 1889 situated in a pleasant Victorian park (opposite The Old Boar’s Head pub) within the town’s conservation area.
Access to the ground floor Adult Lending Library & Reading Room is via a steep cobbled ramp plus several steps. The Reference/Local Studies & Children’s Libraries are situated on the first floor, accessed via a staircase. Our friendly, helpful staff, recognising the difficulties presented by the library’s layout do all they can to assist those with limited mobility. If you require help, don’t hesitate to ask.
Limited free parking is available immediately next to the building.
Adult Readers
In addition to the wide range of constantly replenished fiction & non-fiction stock that you would expect from a central library we also offer for example, books in large print, books on tape, graphic novels, audio “learn a language” packs, a selection of local & national daily newspapers & materials for those wishing to improve their literacy & numeracy skills.
Looking for something new? - check out our Author Of The Month display.
No time to browse? - try our Quick Choice selection.
No need to buy the latest bestseller - we have multiple copies available free of charge.
Book Sale – a varied selection of ex-library stock is always available at very reasonable prices. Pop in & pick up a bargain.
Free Reservation service – Any item on the library catalogue can be reserved free of charge from this website, in person or over the phone.
Please ask any member of staff for details about services for housebound customers & those with special needs. For example, our Talking Book Club, offering unabridged popular titles in cassette form for the visually impaired & those who have difficulties with other formats (visits every 3 weeks.)
Middleton Reading Group – meets in the library once a month on Monday evenings 6-7.00pm to discuss a chosen book.
Children & Young People
We have a very well stocked & self-contained Children’s Library offering something for all ages from babies to teenagers. A study area provides a quiet space for homework, whilst our information & reference sections cover the full range of National Curriculum subjects. Story packs, offering a picture book & accompanying audio tape can be borrowed free of charge.
An under 5s’ storytime, which includes a simple craft activity, takes place every Thursday at 2.00pm during school term times. All young children & their parents & carers are welcome.
Young library members wishing to use our free, filtered Internet access for fun, homework, word processing & e-mails, can join the Young Surfers Club. Please ask staff for an application form.
Look out for free fun events throughout the school holidays, including the Summer Reading Game.
Local schools, nurseries & playgroups are very welcome to visit by prior arrangement.
A collection of new & classic picture books, pop-up books & simple non-fiction for pre-schoolers is available for loan to nurseries, playgroups & registered childminders. Please ask for further details.
During school term times the Children’s Library opens at 2.00pm. However a selection of picture books is available downstairs in the reading room for those with young children who prefer to visit in the morning.
Reference & Local Studies
We have a well-stocked reference collection including encyclopaedias, business directories, phone books, advice guides & maps. A coin-operated photocopier is available & we also offer a fax service.
Local History resources for the Middleton area include an extensive collection of photographs featuring Middleton streets, buildings, town centre, etc; books & pamphlets on the history of Middleton; local maps; historical register of electors. The Middleton Guardian newspaper since earliest dates is available on microfilm. For family historians we have the Middleton parish registers & census records on microfilm. Please ring to book a reader. We offer free access to Ancestry.com via our public access computers.
A member of the Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society holds a drop-in advice session on Monday afternoons between 2-4.00pm.
Computers
Computers (some with scanner), offering free access to the Internet, e-mail, word processing etc. are available & can be pre-booked. Colour printing costs just 10p per copy. You don’t even need to be a library member!
Need some help setting up an e-mail account or just need someone on hand to boost your confidence if you’re new to the net? Why not try one of our popular “Free ‘n’ Easy” sessions which are held every 2 weeks on Tuesday mornings from 10-12.00pm. No need to book – just drop in. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will prove to you that computers don’t bite! Please ask for details of the next session.
From time to time, we also host special “Silver Surfer” events and taster sessions for beginning your family history on the web.
All the staff at Middleton Library will make you feel most welcome, so come & visit us soon & we promise you won’t be disappointed!
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