Manchester Libraries
Restoration of Central Library
Manchester Central Library is now closed for refurbishment. Work begins now to restore this beautiful building and create an adjoining, ultra-modern city centre community library. Ryder Architects have been commissioned to rethink how the building is used, making it more accessible for all, with more stock on display and more room for new services and attractions.
The refurbished library will hold extensive book collections, showcasing the library's treasures, a BFI Mediatheque, performance space, cafˇ and places for quiet study. A brand new archive centre will house resources from the Local History collections, and a range of partners, such as North West Film Archive and County Record Office.
A new temporary library - New City Library - will open in Elliot House on Deansgate in June, offering books, DVDs papers and magazines, computers, reference materials, business information, and the Local Studies Service.
Longsight Library
After a year of building work and refurbishment, the old red-brick building has been totally remodeled, inside and out, to create a brand new flagship library and an exciting new Adult Learning Centre.
The ground floor offers new books, CDs and DVDs, new computers and fast broadband and comfortable places to relax with newspapers and magazines, and new technology for borrowing and returning books will mean that visiting the library will be more convenient than ever - especially as it's open seven days a week.
A fantastic new children's library is a great place to play and enjoy activities and stories. There's Manchester's very first HeadSpace, a zone in the library, designed by young people for young people with a dedicated, fully refurbished homework centre. Upstairs is the city's newest and most modern Adult Learning Centre. Featuring rooms with interactive whiteboards, a well-equipped Art Room and a state-of-the-art IT suite, the Centre will offer an exciting range of opportunities. The new, first floor community meeting room will be able to host readings, talks, meetings and other activities.
New District Libraries
Autumn sees the opening of two more new libraries, Brooklands and Beswick Community Libraries which will serve the new Health Academy and the new East Manchester Academy, respectively. Although attached to the Academies, both ultra-modern libraries will serve the whole community starting with the tiniest babies.
On-Line e-books and audio books
Manchester Library's new Download service allows readers access to hundreds of digital e-books and audio books for free. Readers can enjoy adult fiction and non-fiction titles, and there is also a wide selection of young adult books, all downloaded quickly and easily on to a PC, CD, iphone, ipod or e-book reader. Great for reading or listening on the go or on the beach!
Reading Groups
Manchester Library was delighted to be able to support Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in encouraging learners to take up the Six Book Challenge. A World Book Day event in the Trust's hospital library promoted a collection of Quick Read titles and audiobooks and 11 readers signed up for the challenge.
A small bibliotherapy project in partnership with social services mental health team brings together a small group every month at Harpurhey Day Centre to read poetry and short stories together. Twist in the tale stories by Roald Dahl and Maupassant, and poems by Emily Dickinson have proved very popular so far.
For more information please contact:Rose Ryan Tel: 0161 234 1317
Librarians in the North West have pioneered partnership working to encourage new readers into libraries. Time To Read is a partnership of librarians engaged in reader development activity in public library authorities in the North West Region. All 23 public library authorities in the region currently support Time To Read.