Libraries - news and events
Sounds Gradely
Thursday 27 November - Saturday 29 November
2008
The Wheatsheaf Library will be hosting a celebration of
Lancashire Dialect in a three-day festival presented by The Edwin
Waugh Dialect Society, Touchstones, Rochdale and Rochdale Library
Service.
Thursday 27 November - Lancashire Day
A day of readings by writers and members of the Edwin Waugh
Dialect Society, including:
- A reading of The Lancashire Day Proclamation by Councillor
Robin Parker, Mayor of Rochdale, at 1pm.
Friday 28 November
Morning
"Ways With Words" - children from local primary schools will
discover our linguistic heritage with tales from Sally James and
Jim Atherton.
2pm - 3.30pm
"Dips Into Dialect" - dialect poetry reading with members of the
Edwin Waugh Dialect Society.
Saturday 29 November
11am
"Yet More Gradely Sounds"
2pm
"Lancashire Dialect Writers and Their Works" - presented by guest
speaker Mr. Brian Hollingworth.
Lancashire Dialect books in the Library Catalogue.
The Edwin Waugh Dialect
Society
Heywood Library re-opening
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Heywood Library will re-open next Monday, 24 November at
10am.
New Mobile Library stop
Starting Friday 14 November
Hopwood Road/Cooper Fold, Hollin,
Alternative Fridays, 11.05am - 11.30am
Schools eco-conference
Wednesday 12 November
The 2008 Rochdale Eco Schools Conference take place at Heywood
Civic Centre today. The Library Service is providing a display
promoting our services in general and the bookstock and information
resources we have on green issues in particular. As the Civic
Centre is next door to Heywood Library the display also includes
some photographs to show progress so far in the project to
refurbish the library.
Smallbridge storytimes
Monday 10 November
Smallbridge Library's Rhythm & Rhyme sessions for pre-school
children will be on Tuesdays between 10.30am and 11.15am from
Tuesday 18 November.
Smallbridge's Under-Fives' Storytimes will be on Fridays between
10.30am and 11.15am from Friday 21 November.
Sign & Rhyme
Wednesday 5 November
From 11 November 2008 the Wheatsheaf Library is now providing
Sign and Rhyme sessions for babies and children up to four years
old and their parents and carers. Children can learn to use signs
before they can talk, so encouraging babies and young children with
signs helps them to communicate and reduces frustration. These free
sessions include songs, rhymes and stories and the parents and
carers will also be taught a few signs which they can use to help
them communicate with their children in a fun and enjoyable
way.
Sign and Rhyme sessions are held every Tuesday morning from
10.30am to 11.15am during school term time. There will also be time
for a chat and a drink afterwards!
And then he kissed her… 100 years of Mills &
Boon
Monday 3 November
2008 is the centenary of Mills & Boon, legendary publishers
of romantic fiction. To celebrate, we will be hosting the
official Mills & Boon Centenary display in the Wheatsheaf
Library. The display will be installed on Monday 17 November and
will be in the window for the next two months.
- The Mills & Boon Centenary Exhibition explores the
evolution of 20th century social and sexual mores in
Britain, alongside the development of the world’s leading romance
publisher.
- The Exhibition features a company history and centenary time
line and writer biographies
- Regional Romance – As part of the Centenary celebration,
Rochdale residents will be asked to share their own personal love
stories.
- There will be a writing competition for readers to write their
own opening paragraph to a Mills and Boon Novel.
Six Book Challenge
Wednesday 29 October
Thirteen students from the Gateway Centre successfully completed
the Six Book Challenge this year. The Wheatsheaf Library
hosted the celebrations for the group. Congratulations to them
all!
Six
Book Challenge web site
Big Science Read
Wednesday 22 October
This year's Big Science Read weekend is 24 - 26 October. A
Big Science Read exhibition is on display in the Wheatsheaf
Library.
Science reading on the Library Catalogue.
Big Science Read web site
A winner!
Thursday 23 October
We have our first book crawl gold certificate winner!
Grace Manock, age three uses both Alkrington and Junction
libraries nearly every day and has made 40 visits since we
introduced the scheme in July.
Serving our customers
Tuesday 21 October
Five of our staff were nominated by customers for this
year's Customer Services Award:
- Ann Jones at Darnhill Library
- Justine Smith at Wardle Library
- Lynn Byrne at Norden Library
- Irene Peachy and Maureen Watson, Early Years Outreach Team
We are delighted that Lynn was awarded the top prize as "Best
Individual." Congratulations to everybody who was nominated and to
Lynn in particular for being a prize-winner.
And many thanks to the customers who made the nominations!
Library laughs
Friday 17 October
We are currently reviewing the material we have in stock in our
libraries that might be useful for visually-impaired children. It
is always useful to get the customer's point of view so we arranged
with the teacher in the Visual Impairment Team for half a dozen
children to come along to the Wheatsheaf Library to lend a
hand.
- After enjoying a scary touchy-feely story about
Frankenstein's Monster — especially as they had to plunge
their hands into bags to see which bits Igor had found for the new
monster! — they had a look to see how the story looks and feels in
Braille.
- We asked them to try out some new children's audio books in MP3
Playaway format.
The feedback we got from the children has been very useful. We
now have a few new ideas for using the books and audio materials we
already have in stock, as well as ideas for new stock. Many thanks
to everyone involved.
Ahoy me hearties!
Friday 10 October
We used this year's National BookStart Day as an
opportunity to provide a week's worth of events and activities for
pre-school children across the Borough.
- Pirate-themed 'rhythm and rhyme' and sessions in libraries and
children's centres
- Craft sessions in libraries and children's centres, including
making pirate hats and telescopes
- "Pirates Ahoy!" BookStart Gifting & Story sessions in
nurseries and children's centres
National BookStart Day 2008 web site, including fun things to
do
National Poetry Day
Thursday 9 October
This year's theme for National Poetry Day is Work. Whether yours
is homework or housework, office work or building work, join us in
celebrating poetry.
National poetry Day web
site
Yo ho ho!
Friday 10 October 2008
10 October is National Bookstart Day, celebrating the work we do
to support very young readers and their families and to
encourage a life-long love of reading. This year's national theme
is "Pirates."
Castleton Library Reading Group
Thursday 9 October 2008 11am
We are starting a new reading group at Castleton Library. In the
first meeting we will be discussing books by Alexander McCall
Smith.
Membership is free and everybody is welcome to join.
Celebrating young people in Smallbridge
Saturday 4 October 2008 12noon - 4pm
Rochdale Youth Service organised an afternoon full of activities
in Smallbridge library, Stevenson Square and the Tenants &
Residents Association building. Workshops for young people
including street dance, make-up, mosaic art and animation/film
making.
Time for a brew!
Smithybridge Library is holding a coffee morning on
Saturday 27 September in aid of the Macmillian Cancer
Fund.
Contact: Smithybridge Library on 378281 for
more details.
European Day of Languages
Friday 26 September 2008
Have you seen our Around the World Collections? We have a
selection of literature and popular fiction in a couple of dozen
languages including French, Korean, Russian and Spanish. If you
want to learn how to read a language this is a useful way to
practice.
The Around the World Collection on the Web Catalogue
Do You Feel Good?
Date: Saturday 20 September 2008 Time: 10.30am -
2.30pm
Health Trainers at the Wheatsheaf Library
Primary Care Trust Health Trainers will be at the Wheatsheaf
Library on Saturday 20 September. Why not drop-in for a health
check or for information and advice regarding health, exercise and
lifestyle and sample a freshly prepared fruit smoothie?
Health Trainers are people from the local community who provide
support and advice to people about how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
This might be giving advice on how to stop smoking or what type of
food people should be eating. They work closely with people to set
realistic goals to improve their health and develop personalised
health plans.
Meet the authors!
Date: Saturday 18 October 2008 Time: 2pm -
3pm
Smallbridge Library
Manchester-based crime author Mandasue Heller will be at
Smallbridge Library to talk about her work and to discuss her
latest novel "Shafted."
To book your free place, telephone 01706 924941
Mandasue Heller's books in our libraries
Date: Thursday 11 September 2008 Time: 2pm -
3.30pm
Wheatsheaf Library
Thursday's author event gave us the opportunity to meet the
writer Stephen Clayton and discuss his latest book 'The Art of
Being Dead.' This novel, set in a 'bleak northern town' in the
1960s, explores the question: "can you become a murderer by doing
nothing?"
Many thanks to everybody who came along and made this such an
interesting event!
Stephen Clayton's books in our libraries
Recycled teenagers
The Library Service is joining in with September's festival of
activities for the over-fifties. All events are free but booking is
required as places are limited.
Tuesday 9 September 2008:
10am - 12 noon, Balderstone Library, Tel: 01706
640438
Siver Surfers' computer taster session - an introduction to the
wonders of the world-wide web.
Monday 15 September 2008:
10am - 12 noon, Littleborough Library, Tel: 01706
378219
Family History on the web. Blow away the cobwebs! An introduction
to using the internet for tracing your family tree by the Local
Studies Service.
2pm - 4pm and 5pm - 7pm, Smallbridge Library, Tel:
01706 659978
Siver Surfers' computer taster session - an introduction to the
wonders of the world-wide web.
Thursday 18 September 2008:
10am - 12 noon, Milnrow Library, Tel: 01706
641563
Family History on the web. Blow away the cobwebs! An introduction
to using the internet for tracing your family tree by the Local
Studies Service.
2.30pm - 4.30pm, Wardle Library, Tel: 01706
377476
Siver Surfers' computer taster session - an
introduction to the wonders of the world-wide web.
Monday 22 September 2008:
2.00pm - 4.00pm, Darnhill Library, Tel: 01706
368142
Craft afternoon - encourage your creativity with a range of
handicrafts.
6pm - 7pm, Darnhill Library, Tel:
01706 368142
Family History on the web. Blow away the cobwebs! An introduction
to using the internet for tracing your family tree by the Local
Studies Service.
Tuesday 23 September 2008:
10am - 12 noon, Darnhill Library, Tel: 01706
368142
Siver Surfers' computer taster session - an introduction to the
wonders of the world-wide web.
Friday 26 September 2008:
10am - 12 noon, Darnhill Library, Tel: 01706
368142
Siver Surfers' computer taster session - an introduction to the
wonders of the world-wide web.
Smallbridge Library's re-opening
party
We had a Doctor Who-themed party on Saturday 6 September
2008 to celebrate the re-opening of Smallbridge Library after
extenxive 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
Langley Festival
fun
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.
More information about Langley Library
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.
Summer holiday fun!
We have a programme of events and activities for all our
libraries, including poetry, magic, crafts and bugs.
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
A day of poetry celebrating Friendship, Love and
Food
Date: Saturday 12 July, 2008
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 Officer at the
Wheatsheaf Library on 01706 924941.
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.
Tom Palmer's blog.
Craig Bradley's web site.
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
Teahouse Discussion, Wheatsheaf Library, Rochdale
Date: Monday 16 June 2008 Time: 5.15pm -
7.15pm
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 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
Date: 14 June 2008
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
Date: 2 June 2008
Langley
Library held a Langley Schools Reminiscence Morning on Monday
2 June 2008. 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.
Oxford Language
Dictionaries Online
Silver Surfers
Date: 31 May 2008
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!
New telephone contact number for libraries
You can now access our Library Services outside traditional
working hours on 0845 121 2976 for library
renewals and membership enquiries.
Advisors are be available to deal with enquiries from
8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturday.