Library of the Month – Northenden Community Library
Northenden community library is proud to be December’s library of the month.
Based in St. Wilfrid’s Church Hall, we may be a small library but that does not stop us from making a huge impact in our community. Thanks to our volunteers and staff we are open 18 hours a week, we have a fantastic range of books for all ages and tastes, and if people can’t find what they want on the shelf we have access to the full library catalogue so can reserve other stock. We offer free I.T access using public laptops, unfortunately we cannot offer printing. Recently we acquired a ‘GetBox’ to sharpen our internet connectivity and wi-fi.
Our I.T drop-in is every Wednesday; people can come along and get friendly one-to-one assistance with digital issues or questions.
The library is run by a wonderful team of library staff and volunteers, this is what has enabled us to increase our opening hours, including opening on a Saturday, and the increased hours have had a big impact on the community with visitor figures significantly increasing.
Our Age Friendly coffee afternoons is one of the highlights of the week, they are well attended and always get lovely feedback. Every Tuesday 2-4:30, we welcome all with hot drinks and biscuits and an opportunity for a good chat. Described by a regular as “the friendliest little library in Manchester” we are proud of the atmosphere and support we offer to those who attend our Coffee Afternoons.
The library has a book club that meets on the first Monday of every month, it’s a lovely group that always welcomes new members, so if you are looking to extend your reading habits and connect with others who share your love of reading this could be the club for you.
One of our busiest sessions is Storytimes, it is aimed at pre-school children and their grown-ups, and offers a warm friendly, fun story and rhyme time. Storytime is every Friday at 11am (Term time only), it is held in the large hall, so gives plenty of space for all to join in and enjoy.
We always have colouring out for children, and a beautiful wooden toy market stall stand, kindly donated to us by one of our regular families. During every school holiday we offer a free creative craft session for children, its popular and always good fun.
Northenden library got fully behind the Summer Reading Challenge (a national scheme to keep children reading through the summer), encouraging children to sign up for the challenge, and helping them choose books to read. We also offered weekly activities to keep the children motivated and entertained.
Northenden has some fantastic readers! Two students at St Wilfrid’s CE Primary School in Northenden were presented during a school assembly with their special effort prizes for their incredible reading over the summer.
Northenden library is such a welcoming and lovely library, with so much going on, so pop in, say hello and see what’s on offer.
