Library of the Month: Hulme High Street Library
It’s exciting to be the library of the month for April. Hulme High Street Library, was the first “branch library” of Manchester’s free library, which was the country’s first free library service. It is located in Moss Side Leisure Centre, on the bustling and busy Hulme High Street.
The library is a welcoming and beautiful space with a warm and helpful staff, who always go the extra mile to help customers. It is a well-loved and valuable space for the community and public.
Alongside the range of books that are available, it also has free WiFi, computer access for library card members, self-service printing and scanning.
The library has a variety of weekly activities on offer.
On Tuesday mornings we have a weekly over 50’s Coffee Morning, where people can have a hot drink & biscuits. This lively & friendly group has a different activity each week. These have included talks about Health, Pensions, Trips and Falls, Volunteering. the group turn their hands to crafts and also plan trips out to garden centres, Central Library Archives+ etc.
In March, two groups; the over 50’s Coffee Morning and the Talk English session had a planting session with Gale from the ‘Potting Herbs with Gale community project’.
The sessions were lovely and were well attended by both groups. The Coffee Morning group, had about 15 or more participants and double that for Talk English session! Extra table was added and Basil potting went a head. Everyone learnt something new & planted both green and purple basil seeds, which they took home. They were given a leaflet with a summary of the workshop and a simple pesto recipe.
In partnership with Manchester Adult Education service the library hosts a weekly term time, Talk English class every Tuesday afternoon. It’s a popular session that continues to grow. Learners have been able to progress on to other education courses.
For our customers who want to connect with other book-lovers a new Book Club has started at the library. It meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to discuss their chosen book. The books are chosen and agreed upon agreed by the group and supplied by the library’s stock unit.
The library, in partnership with our local nursery Martenscroft Nursery and the Leisure Centre, continues to offer the Tumble Time & Storytime session for children ages 0 – 5 years every week, term-time. It’s another popular session and continues to grow.
Hello Saturday is a lovely craft session for children and families is held every Saturday morning & run by one of our fantastic library volunteers. It’s a time for children and families to have the opportunity to unleash their creativity.
Every year we are part of a community led celebration of International Women’s Day.
This year’s International Women’s Day was celebrated with a cakes and refreshments Coffee Morning and a Mindful Craft session with Origami Cranes & Card-making.
Website link to the Moss Side Leisure Centre & Hulme High Street Library
The library is open as a self-service model in the following hours:
Monday – Friday 6:30am – 9:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5pm
The library is staffed on:
Tuesday’s 9am – 5pm
Wednesday’s 9am – 5pm
Thursday’s 9am – 1pm
Saturday’s 9am – 5pm
