Libraries and customer service centres

Temporary library and customer service centre closures

Sometimes we need to temporarily close libraries and customer service centres.

View the changes to libraries and customer service centres

Festival of Libraries 2025

Wednesday, 4–Sunday, 8 June 2025. Returning for its 5th year, the Festival of Libraries is the biggest festival of its type in the country. Find out more about the festival, and what events and activities are happening.

View more on the Festival of Libraries
Festival of Libraries logo.

Library events

Our libraries host events and activities for people of all ages.

Find what's on at our libraries
Children listening to a teacher reading a story.

Free SIM cards with internet access

SIMs come with free internet access for up to 6 months.

More on free SIM cards
A SIM card being inserted into a mobile phone.

Library account

With a free library account, you can reserve, request and renew items, and so much more.

Access your library account
A library assistant checking out a book for a customer.

Computers in the library

If you're a library member you can use a computer at any of our libraries for up to 2 hours a day.

About computers in the library
A woman using a computer in Rochdale Central Library.

Warm Welcome Spaces

Libraries and some other venues in the borough of Rochdale have a warm, welcoming place where local people can gather for free and enjoy a free drink, activities and access to other services.

Find Warm Welcome Spaces
Smiling barista handing a customer a hot drink.

Library volunteers

If you'd like the chance to make a positive difference in your local community, there's a range of opportunities volunteering at your local library.

More on volunteering at the library
A smiling volunteer working in a library.

Spotlight on library services

Whether you're a life-long library member or newly signed up, ensure you're using all the free library services available. Did you know...

Digital library resources

Historical records and special collections

  • Old photographs.

    Tracing your family history

    Advice and resources to help you trace your family history in the borough of Rochdale.

  • 2 visitors entering Touchstones Rochdale.

    Local Studies Centres

    Local Studies Centres keep resources from the local area including historical newspapers, burial records, census records, photographs, and more.

  • Visitors to Rochdale Central Library.

    Special collections at the library

    We've got a range of special collections, large print books, vocal scores, activities and more at our libraries.

Your local libraries

Get more out of your local library

Libraries in the borough of Rochdale

Library staff member and child smiling and holding book bag.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of Alkrington Library, Middleton.
A Bookstart Bear event at Heywood Library.
A Bookstart Bear event taking place at Heywood Library.
Bookstart Baby session with children and parents holding a multicoloured parachute.
A Bookstart Baby session in action with parachute at Littleborough Library.
Players with brass instruments performing in Littleborough Library.
A festive brass band performance in Littleborough Library.
Flag with the words Unity and Strength hanging from a wall mounted pole.
This banner hanging in Middleton Library is a replica of the one carried at Peterloo by Sam Bamford and his companions.
Child examining an exhibit at the Dippy on Tour exhibition.
A visitor to the exhibition surrounding Dippy's visit to Rochdale Central Library.

Decision making

  • cartoon image of people with a giant filing system

    Policies, strategies and reviews

    We use policy and strategy documents to guide our decisions. We also use them to develop and run our services fairly and consistently.

  • Illustration of figures linked together.

    Councillors and committees

    Councillors are responsible for agreeing provision of services and how the council's money is spent.