Libraries Update – January 2024
Ros Atkins – Central Library
BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins discussed his latest book ‘The Art of Explanation’ at a special event organised by the Business & IP Centre at Central Library! Ros shared the secrets he has learned from years of working in high-pressure newsrooms, identifying the ten elements of a good explanation and the seven steps you need to take to express yourself as persuasively and accurately as possible. Attendees had the opportunity to ask Ros questions such as how to articulate their thoughts clearly for business, as well as for educational or social purposes. As the evening closed, there was another opportunity for attendees to meet Ros and have a copy of his book signed on the night!
Northenden Community Library – New Home!
The popular Northenden Community Library opened in a new home in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in January. The Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG), Parkway Green building on Palatine Road which housed the library for ten years is now being repurposed, meaning the community library needed to find a new home. Thanks to St Wilfrid’s Church we have managed to retain library services in the village. It is now in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall on Ford Lane, Northenden, M22 4WE.
Run with the help of volunteers the community library offers access to the full book lending service of Manchester Libraries. It will continue to host, the very popular story time sessions for tots and toddlers on Friday mornings at 11am, an Age Friendly hour from 2:00pm – 4:30pm on Tuesdays for older residents who would like to pop in for a brew and a chat and the popular monthly book club, in the new premises. Read more at our Manchester libraries blog.
Libraries Supporting People with Internet Access!
2023 was a tough year, but our Library Staff answered the call when it came to providing the people of Manchester with free internet access. With their support, we’ve been able to provide over 4100 free SIMs with internet access to digitally excluded residents, and over 90% of those SIMs were gifted directly by Libraries.
If you’d like to read more on how our Manchester Libraries are promoting digital inclusion, and the positive effect on digitally excluded residents, then check out these two case studies:
How Manchester’s Libraries promotes Digital Inclusion
Free SIMS with Internet Access in Libraries
The Generator is Open!
On Monday 8 January, the Generator officially opened its doors to the public. Located on the ground floor of the Town Hall Extension in St Peter’s Square, the new enterprise hub provides entrepreneurs, freelancers and creatives with a vibrant co-working space and welcoming environment where they can work, learn, network, and get one-to-one business information support.
Over the past three weeks, the Generator team have been organising tours to introduce the new space to the public. So far, the space has welcomed entrepreneurs, freelancers and hybrid workers from a variety of sectors and backgrounds who have used it to work, network, hold face-to-face meetings and participate in online meetings.
Here is some feedback from people who have used the space:
“In two visits, I have already found two potential clients with one looking like a green light! Very pleased.”
“I’m hoping to set up as a CIC in the near future with the guidance and support I’ve received today, this means that I can move forward with my business plans.”
Find out more about the Generator!
Children’s Library Card Competition Announced
2024 sees the 90th birthday of Manchester Central Library and the 10 year anniversary of its extensive refurbishment and re-opening. Designed by E. Vincent Harris and opened in 1934 by King George V, the library took four years to build and thousands of people came to see the beautiful new building officially opened on 17th July.
In 2014, the library had another opening celebration after a refurbishment which took over three years. The redesign meant much more of the space was opened up to the public and new partnerships and spaces have seen the library develop into the city’s ‘living room’, with spaces to relax, meet and be inspired.
To mark this special year, children and young people are invited to take part in a competition to design new library cards. These cards will be limited edition cards and available for all children and young people to collect from Manchester Libraries following the birthday celebration events in July. The competition is kindly supported by the Manchester Central Library Development Trust. For more information, see the Manchester Libraries blog.
Assheton of Middleton Estate – Archives+
Greater Manchester’s oldest surviving archive collection, the Assheton of Middleton estate archive, has been saved for posterity by Manchester City Council. The collection purchased by the city council will now have a permanent home in the Greater Manchester County Record Office at Manchester Central Library ensuring that people in Greater Manchester and beyond will continue to have access to this outstanding local history collection. The acquisition of the 1400 items was made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The V&A Purchase Fund, Friends of the National Libraries, and Manchester Central Library Development Trust. The collection contains some fascinating items including the earliest surviving written document, items include the 1197 Articles of Agreement, the earliest surviving written document, shedding light on land division within the Assheton estate.
The National Lottery grant will also support Archives+ in developing educational and outreach programs for Middleton, Rochdale, and Manchester communities.
Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said:
“After many years of hard work behind the scenes, we are immensely pleased to have finally secured the future of this nationally significant archive for the future of Greater Manchester and to be able to give it a permanent home with Greater Manchester County Record Office at Manchester Central Library. This is a fascinating and rich collection of documents showing colourful glimpses into medieval English life and is an important part of Greater Manchester’s early heritage.”
Traditional Chinese Arts – Longsight Library
Dragons Voice are currently running a fantastic Age Friendly well-being project “Be Your Creative Self” for the Chinese community at Longsight Library. Artist and Calligrapher Jolene Lam is running 6 weekly traditional Chinese arts sessions in the run up to Chinese New Year. During the first session, participants wrote couplets in Chinese calligraphy. The couplets, which consist of 4 or 5 characters, are hung as decorations on either side of doors or the single characters on doors or windows. All of the characters and words are expressing lucky wishes and meaningful sayings used at Chinese New Year to wish each other health, wealth & prosperity. This project has brought together members of the Chinese community, exploring traditional Chinese arts with a Cantonese speaking artist supporting cultural heritage. It also has culminated a celebration event and launch of animation and toolkit on Sat 17 February at the library and is open to everyone.
Start-Up Huddle – Business & IP Centre
Kicking the new year off to a flying start, entrepreneurs and new start-up businesses gathered together for an inspiring networking event with speakers Ben Washington and Miguel Hayworth.
Ben and Miguel delivered a 6 minute presentation about their businesses, followed by Q&A from the audience members. Ben talked about using the latest AI software using AI chatbots to learn English, and how the challenges of being dyslexic spurred him on and helped him in growing his business. Miguel, who has produced a sugar free product range, gave an inspiring presentation. Miguel detailed how he has faced challenges throughout life, and how he has used his experience of neurodiversity to help him in growing his business, which is now selling internationally and about to reach American customers!
The National Archives fund – Club Cheoil Archive Collection
Manchester Archives+ is pleased to announce that they have been successfully awarded an Archives Revealed grant from The National Archives fund for the Club Cheoil archive collection held at Manchester Central Library.
Established by Manchester musician Lynne Percival, this is a highly significant collection relating to the traditional Irish music scene in Manchester. It charts the development of Club Cheoil (Irish for Music Club) from 1990 to 2002 and includes concert and tour recordings and photographs alongside oral history interviews and newspaper cuttings. The collection represents a strong commitment to community development, making lasting connections for the benefit and continuity of the traditional Irish music medium.
The grant will allow Archives+ staff to make a scoping assessment and recommend how best to make the collection available both online and in Manchester Central Library’s exhibition areas.
Withington Library – HAF Activities
Withington Library staff delivered two fabulous Holiday activity fund sessions along with local artists Mandy Cleveland and Caroline Coates. Children made beautiful winter wreaths, giant stars, jewellery and eco-resin pots. Everyone involved really enjoyed the activity, attendees also had the opportunity to choose a free book!
Family Film Club – Central Library
The monthly family film club screening at Central Library was ‘The Princess and the Frog’ to celebrate the new year with new beginnings. Families decorated journals for the year and enjoyed themed crafts.
Feedback included:
“What a lovely surprise! The boys 3, 5 and 7 have had a great time decorating journals and hats whilst watching a feel good movie. You have brought smiles to their faces”.
Build a Business Workshops
January 2024 saw the relaunch of the Business & IP Centre Manchester‘s Build Business workshops across Greater Manchester, covering business basics, marketing, intellectual property and market research. The workshops have got off to a good start, Manchester’s have been sold out! It looks like 2024 is the year many inspiring entrepreneurs will take the “leap” and turn their dreams into a reality!
