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The National Year of Reading 2008

Libraries - news and events

Lost your library card?

If you lose your library card it doesn't mean you are no longer a member of the library. Please let us know that it is lost and ask us for a new card.

Until the end of May 2008 we will no longer be charging borrowers for replacement library cards. We hope this encourages customers to continue using the library and enjoying the wide range of books, CDs and other items available for loan.

We are pleased to announce that this has been extended to the end of March 2009 as part of the celebration of The National Year of Reading.

Meet the authors!

Author Pamela Hill. 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.

Will you be ready for the Summer Reading Challenge?

Team Read logo.

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.

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.

Teahouse Discussion, Wheatsheaf Library, Rochdale

Tea pot and cup of tea. 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

Norden Carnival: Eric the Hungry 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.

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!

Mobile phoneNew 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.