A woman's work...?

Do you remember the times when washday was always on a Monday, or when a proud housewife never failed to donkey stone her front step?

If the answer is "yes" - then you are welcome to join us for a morning of reminiscence at Alkrington Library.

(And if the answer is "no" you're still welcome!)

Thursday 29 April 2010 at 10.30 am (refreshments served from 10 am)

Real Lives at Alkrington Library

For December and January, we have decided to feature something a bit different from our usual “Author of the Month” at Alkrington Library.

Instead of a single author, we are showcasing a selection of books, which we have called “Real Lives” – in other words, biographies and autobiographies. There are always lots of new titles published in this genre at this time of year.

How about Ant and Dec’s jointly written “Ooh! What a Lovely Pair: Our Story” or Vera Lynn’s “Some Sunny Day.” Maybe “Did You Like That?”, Don Haworth’s biography of steeplejack Fred Dibnah, is more your cup of tea?

If you usually read novels, why not have a change and take a look at our “Real Lives” selection? You might find that some lives are stranger and more exciting than fiction.!

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.

Life in Middleton

Joanne and Paula have written some promotional pieces telling people about Alkrington and Middleton libraries for the local free newspapers. The notes they put together when we asked them to tell us about their libraries gave them a useful starting point.

Alkrington Library appeared in the December issue of Alkrington Life. Middleton Library is due to appear in the February edition of Middleton Life. We've had positive feedback from customers about the Alkrington article and we hope this is repeated in February.

Public libraries are elective services — people don't have to use them if they don't want — so it's important that we keep a high positive profile via as many different communication channels as possible. We need to make sure that we're reminding people that we do lots of nice stuff, and a good deal of it very well. Like many other library services, we're not particularly good at blowing our own trumpet. It's a habit we do need to learn if we're to catch and keep the interest of all our potential customer bases. And we are learning: we're getting a significantly larger number of pieces in the local press about events and activities in our libraries than we did even a year ago.

Branch library spotlight: Alkrington Library

Every so often we will feature one of our libraries or services in this blog to give you a bit more detail about what we're doing for our local communities. This time we've asked Alkrington Library to tell us a bit about themselves.

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Access information

The library is situated in the Mainway Shopping Precinct. There is a large free car park, including disabled parking bays close to the library entrance. The library is a single-storey building with ramped access and automatic outer doors.

People with limited mobility may require some assistance with the inner doors but staff are on hand to help.

Reading

In addition to a wide-range of non-fiction titles and popular authors, the library also offers frequently changing feature collections, introducing a greater choice and variety; “Author of the Month” displays; a “Quick Choice” selection for those in a hurry; books in large print; and a small selection of books on audio tape.

A varied selection of ex-library stock is always available at very reasonable prices. Pop in and pick up a bargain.

Please ask our friendly library staff for details about services for housebound customers and those with special needs.

Any title on the library catalogue can be reserved free of charge from the Web Catalogue, in person or over the phone.

A reading group meets in the library on Friday afternoons once a month to discuss a chosen book.

The library hosts occasional reading events throughout the year for both adults and young people.

Children and young people

The library has a spacious children’s area with plenty of room for homework and study. The book train, loaded with picture books is a favourite with the under 5s.

All ages, from tinies to teens are well catered for, starting with board books for babies and progressing through to full-length novels and information books for young readers of all ages. Story packs, offering a picture book and accompanying audio tape, can be borrowed free of charge. A special parent and carers’ collection offers a range of help and advice on topics related to the early years.

A popular under 5s’ storytime, which includes a simple craft activity, takes place every week during school term times. All young children and their parents and carers are welcome. Please ask staff for details.

Young library members wishing to use our free, filtered Internet access for fun, homework, word-processing and 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 annual Summer Reading Game.

Local schools, nurseries and playgroups are very welcome to visit by prior arrangement.

Learning

In addition to a wide non-fiction stock, the library offers a small reference section.

There is free internet access, even if you are not a library member (although, of course, we would love you to join!) Colour printing is available at a small charge.

The library hosts occasional free computer-based events such as “Silver Surfer” sessions and help with family history on the web.

Community

The library has a good selection of leaflets detailing local events and places to visit, plus a community noticeboard.

A black and white photocopier is available for A4 and A3 copying.

A small display case contains items of local interest from Rochdale Museum Service.

Directions from the M62

• Leave the motorway at Junction 18 (M66).
• Take M66 towards Manchester/Middleton.
• At the end of the motorway turn right — the second exit on the roundabout onto a dual carriageway — use inside lane.
• Turn left at the second set of traffic lights (A6104) on to Victoria Avenue.
• After approx. 1 mile turn left – major traffic lights – towards Middleton.
• Take third turning on the right onto Mainway (dual carriageway). At the top of Mainway turn left then right onto a small shopping centre car park.
• The library is on the left of the shopping mall.
• For more information please contact the library directly.

Contact details

Alkrington Library
Kirkway
Middleton M24 1LW

Email: Alkrington.Library@Rochdale.gov.uk
Tel: 0161 643 7799

Opening times

Monday 9.30am-1pm, 2pm-7.30pm
Tuesday closed
Wednesday closed
Thursday 9.30am-1pm, 2pm-5.30pm
Friday 9.30am-1pm, 2pm-5.30pm
Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm

Building works update

More news on the works that are going to be done in some of our libraries this autumn.

Work will be delayed slightly at Heywood Library. The delay is because of some good news: there are plans for some development in Heywood Town Centre which will definitely involve the library in some way. Details are currently being finalised so we aren't sure precisely how the library fits into the plans so we've decided to hang fire until details are available. We want to avoid going through the expense and disruption of getting work done in the short term that will have to be undone, or which becomes redundant, in a year or so's time. Once these plans have been finalised we'll be able to see what modifications, if any, we have to make to the library's refurbishment plan and, if necessary, get listed building consent for the work to be done. Realistically, the work will be beginning in late autumn rather than at the end of next month as hoped.

The work at Balderstone and Spotland libraries will be going ahead next month as planned. We will also be doing some work on the accessibility of Alkrington Library later this autumn, dates to be confirmed. At this stage we don't know whether or not we will need to close Alkrington Library while the work is going on.