Rochdale Borough Council

COVID-19: in light of the current situation, we’ve taken the difficult decision to close libraries across the borough. We will continue to keep this decision under review and keep the website updated.

Address: Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU.
Location on map: view Rochdale Central Library on Google Maps.

Rochdale Central Library is on the ground floor of Number ​One Riverside. The multi use public building is in Rochdale town centre and has a Bean Coffee Shop, meeting rooms and council customer service centre.

Temporary changes to Rochdale Central Library

The Natural History Museum’s famous dinosaur, Dippy the Diplodocus, will take pride of place in the award-winning Number One Riverside from 10 February 2020 to 28 June 2020.

You can still access our fantastic library and customer service centre. There are, however, just a few changes for you to be aware of.

• We’ve put some stock into storage, however, you can still order and collect from Rochdale Central Library or any library across the borough.
• We’ve slightly reduced our computers available for the public to use at Number One Riverside. We do, however, have many more computers in libraries across the borough.
• If you’re coming for quiet study or exam revision you’ll probably find the library nosier than usual.
• See table below for changes to opening hours.

You can continue to enjoy other facilities in the library and marvel at Dippy; he’s the superstar dinosaur which has been seen by millions of people in the Natural History Museum in London.

• Local libraries - find facilities, opening times and activities at each of our libraries.
• Find out more about Dippy 

​Opening times at Rochdale Central Library

Customer service centre: there's a customer service centre based in Rochdale Central Library. View customer service centre opening times

Library: the library is open during the following hours.

Services at Rochdale Central Library

You can access a range of services at Rochdale Central Library. See charges for library services.

• Books to borrow, including large print books and reference books
• Computers
• FREE WiFi
• Photocopiers, printers and scanners
• Phones - you can use these to call any of our council phone numbers for FREE, including our contact centre
• FREE compostable bags for your kitchen caddy at customer service reception
• Other services available at Number One Riverside.

Facilities and access at Rochdale Central Library

Rochdale Central Library has:

• Pay and display parking including disabled bays nearby
• Full disabled access including an accessible toilet
• Children's library
• Meeting rooms