A winner!

We have our first book crawl gold certificate winner!

Grace Manock, age three uses both Alkrington and Middleton libraries nearly every day and has made 40 visits since we introduced the scheme in July. 2008

Out of this world

We had a Doctor Who-themed party on Saturday 6 September 2008 to celebrate the re-opening of Smallbridge Library after extensive rebuidling work.

Guests of honour were some Daleks (we have to say that or they would exterminate us!). We also had a display of props and costumes from Doctor Who and our own little Tardis in the corner of the library.

Many thanks to everybody who turned up and made this such a great day.

Doctor Who books in our libraries

More photos from Smallbridge Library.

Were you ready for the Summer Reading Challenge?

This year's Summer Reading Challenge for children — "Team Read" — ran from July to September 2008. Hundreds of children joined in, reading lots of books and collecting their bronze, silver and gold medals along the way.

• Everybody who completed the Summer Reading Challenge will get a certificate.



• Don't worry if you didn't complete the Challenge, the important thing is that you had fun and enjoyed some great stories!

We launched this year's Summer Reading Challenge with two library sessions for schools with special guest performers:

• Tom Palmer at the Wheatsheaf Library on Tuesday 17 June; and



• Craig Bradley at Junction Community Library on Wednesday 18 June.

All primary schools in the Borough were invited to send four Year 5 children to the events as "ambassadors." They enjoyed quizzes or a performance poetry session and were each given a Team Read pack to show to the rest of the school.

Penalty shoot-out at the Wheatsheaf Library

After his talk about books and reading, Tom Palmer pitted schools against each other in an exciting 'Penalty Shoot-Out Quiz.' The reward for each correct answer was the opportunity to take a penalty kick against Ray 'The Cat' Stearn.

Poetry workout at Junction Library

Craig Bradley's physical brand of performance poetry - with the emphasis on performance - got the children involved in wordplay galore (can you see what is special about the word SWIMS ?) and quite a few leeks.

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Boys Into Books

We also took the opportunity to introduce teachers to "Boys Into Books," a collection of books aimed at boys in the 5—11 age group, available for loan to primary school classes.

• Boys Into Books website

Langley Festival

Langley Library is joining in the Festival with a week of events and activities, kicking off on Sunday 27 August 2008 when the Library joins in both the parade at 11am and the Fun Day at Furrow Sports Centre, which starts at 1pm.

Welcome to the Library!
Date: Monday 28 July 2008 Time: 6pm - 7.30pm
A chance to see the new library - and if you wish, join & take
out books

• Join in our 'booktalk' about popular author, Stephen King
• View photographs of past Langley Festivals (on display until end of August)
• Refreshments provided
• Pick out some booksale bargains

The Bug Box
Date: Tuesday 29 July 2008 Time: 2.30pm

• 'Bug Man' Roger Swailes will bring a selection of creatures to
  show to children aged 5 and over.

Blow away the Cobwebs
Date: Thursday 31 July 2008 Time: 10am - 12 noon

• Learn how to use the internet for family history.
• To book a place, ring the library or speak to a member of staff.

Rhythm and Rhyme
Date: Thursday 31 July 2008 Time: 2.30pm - 3.30pm

• All under fives and their mums and dads, grannies and grandads are welcome.
• Sing along to all your favourites.

Teenagers Internet Quiz
Date: Friday 1 August 2008 Time: 1.30pm - 5.30pm

• Book a 15 minute internet session and ask for a Quiz sheet.
• You could win a £15 Voucher for WH Smith's.
• Refreshments provided.

Happy birthday Norden Library!

There was bunting and frolic at Norden Library to celebrate its first birthday in its new home. Lynn hosted a birthday party for children visiting the library. For grown-ups there was a reminiscence event.

A day of poetry celebrating Friendship, Love and

Times: Workshop: 11am , Poetry reading: 2.30pm

Anjum Malik returns to Rochdale to read a selection of her wonderful poetry in both English and Urdu. For all you Rochdale writers, there will be a creative writing workshop with Anjum on the theme of Friendship, Love and Food. The workshop starts at 11am.

For more information and to book your free place for the workshop please contact the Reader Development Librarian at the Wheatsheaf Library on 01706 924941.

Meet the authors!

Date: Saturday 5 July 2008 Time: 2pm - 4pm

Everyone is welcome to come along and meet local author Pamela Hill, who will be at the Wheatsheaf Library on Saturday 5 July between 2pm and 4pm to talk about her new novel "A Sense of Belonging".

Date: Wednesday 30 July 2008 Time: 7pm - 9pm

Spotland Library is hosting an evening evening in the company of local author Shirley Wells from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday 30 July. Shirley will be talking about her Lancashire-based crime novels featuring Jill Kennedy and DCI Max Trentham.

Both events are free. More details of these events are available from the Reader Development Librarian on 01706 924941

Teahouse discussion

A favourite pastime across Asia and other parts of the world, "teahouse discussions" provide an opportunity for people to talk about relevant and contemporary issues on a theme of protest while sampling a selection of teas.

A lively group joined us this evening at the Wheatsheaf Library to discuss whether or not the media's portrayal of Rochdale: "Rochdale - Scrounge capital of the UK?" is the true picture.

Carnival caterpillar

Eric the Very Hungry Caterpillar made a welcome appearance at this year's Norden Carnival.

Eric was made by Lynn Byrne, the Branch Assistant at Norden Library and his legs were provided by children from the primary school.

A good time was had by all and even the weather behaved itself!

A morning of memories

Langley Library held a Langley Schools Reminiscence Morning this morning.

Thirty people attended the event, including past employees and pupils of the schools. Mr. Little, the presenter, kept everybody's attention and had them laughing at some of his anecdotes.

A display of photographs from the Local Studies Collection helped to support the event.

Interested in Languages?

We have added Oxford Language Dictionaries Online to our portfolio of online reference books available to all our members both in the library and online at home.

You can log onto this service by entering your library barcode in the "Log in" box on the home page.

Silver Surfers

The Silver Surfers at Smithybridge Library are holding an Open Morning on Saturday 31 May 2008 from 10-12noon. David, the Silver Surfers' group tutor, will be there to promote the regular weekly sessions and to offer 'Taster sessions' on the day to members of the public. The library will also be hosting a stall with proceeds going to the Friends of Smithybridge Library.

FREE refreshments will be available on the day. Everybody welcome!

Easter holiday activities

Our libraries will be closed on:

• Good Friday 21st March 2008


• Easter Saturday 22nd March 2008


• Easter Monday 24th March 2008

Each library will have a craft activity table for children of all ages (and their parents). Crafts will include Easter egg cards and Easter bunny colouring sheets.

Get into computers at Langley Library!

Every Thursday between 10am-12pm Langley Library will be hosting a ‘Get Started with the Web’ session. This is for anyone who needs a little help to use the FREE Internet service available in all Rochdale Borough Council libraries. No booking is required. We will help you to get started using the Internet or sending email. Information about other training courses will also be available.

There is a large car park at the rear of the building. Langley Library is on Windermere Road, Middleton.

Don't worry if you are a complete beginner - everyone is welcome.

New telephone contact number for libraries

From 10th March 2008 you can now access Library Services at Rochdale Borough Council outside traditional working hours on 0845 121 2976 for library renewals and membership enquiries.

Advisors will be available to deal with enquiries from 8.00 am - 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am - 5.00 pm on Saturday.

Free transport for library users

With Heywood Library being closed for a major refurbishment, we are offering a FREE community transport service, with complimentary return trips from Heywood Library to Darnhill Library.

From Monday 18 February until further notice, a coach will depart from outside Heywood Library at 10.30 am every Monday, returning at 11.30 am. The service is being provided in partnership with New Heart for Heywood Community Transport.

You are welcome to use our other libraries

We are also encouraging customers to use any of the other 16 libraries in the borough during the temporary closure, while the 100 year old Grade 2 listed building has extensive improvement work . The nearest libraries to Heywood are Darnhill, Norden, Middleton and Spotland.

Memories of Langley

We are inviting local people to attend a ‘Morning of memories’ on Friday 29 February 2008 at the new Langley Library in partnership with Cartwheel Arts. The library, now part of the Langley Children’s Centre on Windemere Road is hosting the event to capture memories from those who have lived or worked in Langley over the years.

Maria Payne, one of our librarians working in Middleton Library, and Kim Haygarth from Cartwheel Arts will be happy to note your memories whilst you enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. Don't worry if your memory is less than perfect, we will have photographs to spark your recollections! Kim will also help put your memories into poetry or prose.

We are also asking for you to bring your photographs of life on the estate. Cartwheel Arts are producing a book around ‘Life on Langley’, so if you are a budding writer this is an opportunity to get your words in print, although everyone is welcome even to just listen and see the new library for yourself.

The ‘Morning of Memories’ is between 10am and 12noon on Friday 29 February 2008. Anyone not able to attend can write their memories and send to Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton, M24 3PY or to Kim by email.

More events planned!

The event is the first of many at the new Langley Library. On 3 March 2008 the monthly Reading Group will meet between 2pm and 3pm to discuss ‘Lancashire Legacy’ by local author Anna Jacobs. Complimentary copies of the book are available from the library, so collect yours from Langley library now!

The National Year of Reading

2008 is The National Year of Reading, a celebration of words and reading in every form: from novels to song lyrics, from poetry to film scripts.

From April to December events and activities linked to The National Year of Reading will have a monthly theme:

• April: Read all about it!
• May: Mind and body
• June: Reading escapes
• July: Rhythm and rhyme
• August: Read the game
• September: You are what you read
• October: Word of Mouth
• November: Screen reads
• December: Write the future

Look out for National Year of Reading events in a library near you!

Norden Library

Norden Library will be closed on 11th and 12th February 2008 because of work being done to resurface the school car park, including the approach to the library. We apologise to customers for the short notice of this closure.

Langley Library opens in its new home

On 28 January 2008 Langley Library opens its doors in its new home as part of Langley Children's Centre on Windermere Road (just down the road from the old library). We have taken the opportunity to completely refresh the book stock; increased the number of public computers; and replaced all the old PCs.

We are pleased with the results. Come in and have a look and let us know what you think.

Temporary closures of libraries

Alkrington and Langley libraries are closed from 21st January:

Alkrington library is closed for approximately three weeks for essential buildings works. A toilet suitable for the use of disabled people in being installed as part of our ongoing commitment to greater accessibility of our services. The nearest alternative library is Middleton Library.

Langley Library is closed for one week while it moves home. The new library is part of the Langley Children's Centre just down the road from the old site. The nearest alternative library is Middleton Library.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this work.

Keep up to date with temporary closures and works in our libraries on the Rochdale Council web site.

Spread the Word!

Spread The Word — the organisation set up by The Bookseller's Association to encourage a love of reading — has set up a web site called Books To Talk About, which does what it says on the tin. Amongst the features on the site are competions and a discussion forum.

You'll also find links to the web site for this year's World Book Day on March 6th. This site will be listing events and activities for World Book Day but you don't have to wait until then to have a look at the games and links.

We've added links to titles from the Books To Talk About list on our Web Catalogue. Borrowers registered with Rochdale Library Service can reserve any of these titles by clicking on the "Request item" button and it won't cost you a penny. All you need is the barcode from your library card and your PIN number (if you don't have a PIN, or can't remember it, you can ask a member of staff to set one up for you next time you're in the library).