Libraries Update – August 2024

Summer Programme of Events at Central Library

Library staff at Central library delivered a full programme of activities for families over the summer holidays, which was a great way to encourage children to take part in the Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge! The summer kicked off with Manchester Day as we took our activities outdoors to invite families to get involved with the Blue Peter Book trail and Book Club. Attendees could also complete tasks to earn a Blue Peter badge, as well as get creative with Lego or play games.

Various themed days took place throughout the holidays, such as; Maker Mondays, Game Tuesdays, Wednesday Play days, Music Thursdays and Film Fridays. A whole range of activities were on offer from puppet making, hat decorating and playing games. The National Football Museum delivered a workshop, and there were also some Little Movers and Shakers sessions, Doodle and dance and a Chess competition to enjoy. Highlights included the Scrumptious show, which was a heart warming interactive family performance, also National Playday and the Music Day activity where the families had lots of fun!

Free Holiday Activities in Libraries this Summer!

Six of our libraries have also hosted a series of Holiday Activity and Food fund sessions this summer! All these sessions are fun and interactive, and are aimed at 10 to 16 year olds. A free lunch is provided to every young person attending the activities. Find out more at our Manchester Libraries blog.

Summer Reading Challenge 2024

Libraries were busy this August with children doing the annual Summer Reading Challenge and Holiday Activity Fund sessions. The Summer challenge is free for ages 4-11 (and beyond) and runs until 14 September. It encourages children to borrow and read six library books, earning stickers, a medal, and a certificate. This year’s theme, Marvellous Makers, allows participants to explore any book genre they like. Children have been joining at all Manchester libraries and online at summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

Participants also have a chance to win prizes, including a £100 voucher and goody bags from each of the 22 libraries. There are additional book review and art competitions, with winners receiving a Kindle tablet or art supplies.

Libraries have hosted a variety of free activities, such as building marble runs, crafty activities and even beat boxing, our Blue Peter book badge workshop, Dogs Trust workshop, Show Racism the Red Card and Scrumptious Family theatre, there’s been something for everyone with over 80 amazing activities More information is available on the Loads to Do website and our Manchester Libraries blog.

Summer Reading Challenge – Mini Challenge

There’s also a Summer Reading Challenge Mini Challenge for children under four, and those who prefer to listen to audio books or read e-books on our Borrowbox service can also join in. There’s still also time to write a book review for some great prizes and all Challenge completers will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 toyshop voucher and a bundle of books. The Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with The Reading Agency.

Our Longsight Festival – Crowcroft Park

Longsight Library staff participated in the Our Longsight Festival in Crowcroft Park this month. Everyone had so much fun making owls and monsters out of recycled carboard with local children and young people. Library staff were so busy throughout the day, and there was a great atmosphere as everyone enjoyed listening to the performances. It was fantastic opportunity to meet local families, chat with them and encourage new visitors to Longsight Library, which is featured on the new community map which was produced as part of the event. Pop in to collect one!

Abraham Moss and North City Library Storytimes at Heaton Park

During the summer holidays staff from Abraham Moss Library and North City Library visited Heaton Park to run story time sessions for families. Library staff ran seven sessions over two days, during which the children (and parents!) listened to the popular book ‘Shark in the Park’ and various other nature and park themed stories. Attendees enjoyed singing songs and nursery rhymes such as Old McDonald, Five Little Ducks and Baby Shark (doo doo doodoo doodoo!). The storytime sessions took place in Heaton Park’s new outdoor classroom next to the animals where there was shelter from both the glorious sunshine, and summer showers! This meant that the children had the chance to see the alpaca, goats, pigs and geese wander past throughout the sessions. Overall, everyone had a fantastic time!

The Generator Royal Mills

During August, we hosted our first open day at Generator Royal Mills; a great opportunity for clients to explore the location and facilities on offer and for staff to welcome new faces. The team from Build a Business also used to space to run a new workshop: How to Start a Podcast for your Business, in which the founder of award-winning podcast agency MIC Media shared expertise on necessary equipment, creating engaging content, and the benefits podcasting can have to small businesses.

As summer draws to a close, we are looking forward to a range of events in September, including returning favourites such as our Networking Evening, Business Support Drop-In Sessions, and Accountancy Clinic, as well as a new Cybersecurity Workshop hosted by The Cyber Resilience Centre. For more information about upcoming events visit our Eventbrite page. 

Business & IP Centre – Keep this Cracker

Bea Thackeray, founder of Keep This Cracker, has reimagined the traditional Christmas cracker into a sustainable, reusable product. Each year, the UK disposes of 100 million Christmas crackers, prompting Bea to create an eco-friendly alternative that reduces waste and adds a personal touch to celebrations. 

The Business & IP Centre and Build a Business teams have provided essential support in helping Bea to protect her intellectual property, as well as grow her business via networking and making the most of the free resources available! Bea now focuses on expanding into corporate gifting and hospitality, confident that reusable products like hers will become the norm. Read more at our Manchester Libraries blog.

Kimberly Whittam Author Event – Powerhouse Library

Manchester author Kimberly Whittam came to Powerhouse Library to share her book Quiet Storm with local children and help them create a vision board for themselves. Kimberly’s book was chosen as this year’s transition read for year 6 by ReadMCR and all children finishing primary school received a copy. As a result, the vision board activity which Kimberly prepared for local children was very popular. Kimberly signed some of the children’s books and talked to aspiring young writers about what it’s like to be a published author. One 10-year-old said, “It’s great to have a chance to meet Kimberly and have a chat with her! I loved the book! She’s really inspiring.”

Kimberly Whittam Author Event – Didsbury Library

Didsbury library staff arranged lovely session with Kimberly Whittam, the author of this year’s transition read for children going up to high school after summer. Kimberly’s book, Quiet Storm covers lots of important topics around confidence, self-belief and friendship, all which are very relevant to children moving up to high school. The session was called A Recipe for Friendships, the first part of the session focused on the children thinking and talking about what they thought would make a good friend, they then spent time decorating cupcakes and the presentation boxes. During this time, everyone had lots of great conversations about friendship and high school. Everyone enjoyed meeting Kimberly, and went home feeling relaxed and happy, with lots of beautifully decorated cupcakes to eat and share!

Wythenshawe Games

It was another fabulous event this year at the Wythenshawe Games as the Forum library team, Archives+ and The National Literacy trust delivered a variety of crafts activities, as well as sharing free books and information about services. to offer a great library experience in the park to families. Forum library staff offered an excellent selection of crafts including masks and canvas art, and Archives+ offered seed planting activities. The National Literacy Trust had a wonderful stall full of fabulous books for gifting and loads of interesting information booklets, they enjoyed speaking with people about the importance and joy of reading.

Northenden Library Update

Northenden Community Library, now in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall, has flourished since reopening earlier this year, gaining over 100 new members and increasing active borrowers. The official launch on March 12th was a success, with over 40 attendees, including councillors and local residents.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers, the library now opens on Saturdays, extending its reach within the community. Free internet access has been reintroduced with two public-use laptops, and I.T. drop-in sessions have resumed on Wednesdays from 2-4 pm. Despite its small size, the library offers a diverse collection of books and full access to the entire library catalogue.

Popular programs include Age Friendly coffee afternoons on Tuesdays and Storytimes on Friday mornings, where families enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories. The library is celebrated as a warm and welcoming space, described by one visitor as “the friendliest little library in Manchester.” Visitors are encouraged to join this vibrant community hub, read more at our Manchester Libraries blog.

Miles Platting Community Library is Buzzing!

The bee garden at Miles Platting Community Library, initiated by Jigsaw Homes, commemorates those affected by the Manchester Arena bombing and promotes biodiversity. Created with the support of MCC library staff, local children, and volunteers, the garden offers a green space for residents and has become a thriving community hub. Sisk building contractors donated 25 plants this year, significantly enhancing the garden and tripling the bee population. The space features two bee hoppers, a small roadway for children’s bikes, and is well-used by locals, including a dog walking group when the library is closed. This project is a shining example of community collaboration supporting biodiversity and fostering nature in the city. Read more at our Manchester Libraries blog.