Libraries - computers and the internet
Fast and free broadband Internet access is available
in all our libraries. We provide free access to the world-wide web,
word-processing and spreadsheets. Printing is available at a small
charge.
You do not need to be a library member to use our Library Online
computers; if you are you can take advantage of the wide range of
material available for loan from our libraries.
Please read our Acceptable Use Policy before you use our
computers.
If you are new to the Internet, or a bit nervous with computers,
you may want to take advantage of some of the events and activities
in our libraries:
- Some have regular "free and easy drop-in" sessions where staff
are available to provide a bit more support than usual to help you
get started.
- Some have regular "Silver Surfer" sessions and we always try to
have extra sessions available elsewhere in the Borough during
Silver Surfers Week.
- Middleton Library has regular Family History sessions upstairs
in the Reference Library
- The Local Studies Centre at Touchstones, Rochdale has frequent
Family History and Community History sessions. The Local Studies
Librarians also provide Family History and Community History
sessions in libraries elsewhere in the Borough.
- Other Internet-based learning events take place in our
libraries to tie in with events like school holidays and learning
weeks.
If you are interested in joining in a session - or if you
are interesting in helping to support and/or deliver a session -
please contact your local library. Use the links to the right for
contact details and opening times of branch libraries.
We also have a very wide selection of books to support people
wanting to learn more about computers and the internet. The
following link to the Web Catalogue provides a selection of these
books and links to some free resources on the web that you might
find useful.
Web catalogue: Learning & Lifestyle - IT and the
Internet
Online reference resources
The Library Service's online web catalogue provides links to
reference resources on the web:
- The Web Catalogue includes links to web sites dealing with
reader development and support; health issues; and lifelong
learning;
- The Kids' Portal includes links to child-oriented web sites
dealing with reading development and homework topics;
- Both include links to our online subscription services.
- The Local Studies Portal includes links to web sites dealing
with local studies and family history.
Search the catalogue
The Library Service also currently subscribes to online
subscription services providing access to nearly two hundred online
reference books, encylcopædias, quizzes and interactive
learning areas. Most of these will require you to log in with
your library barcode to get into the members' area.
Web Catalogue: online subscriptions and public resource
pages