Libraries - local collections
Local Studies Collections
The Local Studies Centre at Touchstones Rochdale holds the main
Local Studies and Archives collections for Rochdale Borough. This
includes a wide range of material relating to the Rochdale area,
and includes Castleton, Littleborough, Milnrow, Norden and
Wardle.
Local Studies material for the Heywood and Middleton areas is
held at Heywood and Middleton Libraries.
Newspapers
Each Local Studies Library holds microfilmed copies of local
newspapers for their area. These includes: The Rochdale Observer
1856 onwards, Heywood Advertiser 1850 onwards, Middleton Guardian
as well as various other local newspapers.
Books
We also have a large collection of books, pamphlets and articles
which covers all aspects of Rochdale's past.
Photographs
Photographs from the mid- nineteenth century to the present day.
Copies of photographs are available for purchase.
Archives
Archives are original documents relating to many aspects of
local life, including: business and industrial records, family and
estate papers, Trades Union and political records and the Methodist
Archive Deposit.
Maps
The large collection of over 600 maps and plans, includes O.S.
maps, estate plans and railway maps.
Other local collections
The Library Service has a large number of other collections
addressing the reading, learning and information needs of the
community: