Libraries

A click and collect book borrowing service is among new measures in place as Tameside libraries reopen from Monday 6 July 2020.
 
The library service is undertaking a phased reopening from 6 July 2020 subject to step three of the Government’s recovery strategy.
 
Four Tameside libraries – Ashton, Droyslden, Dukinfield and Stalybridge - have reopened initially, based on their size and layout and capacity to allow for social distancing. Please note that Open+ will not be available during the first phase of re-opening.
 
The offer includes the following:

• Return of outstanding items

• A click and collect service for those not wishing to browse  

• Pre-booked use of PCs for 1 hour only (or walk in if there is capacity)

• Printing is avaialble at all four libraries. Photocopying is avaialble at Ashton Library only.

 
Safety measures include hand sanitisers, one way systems, additional cleaning, managed access and capacity, quarantining books, removal of furniture that may encourage people to stay longer than necessary and sanitising of PCs between users. Customers are now also required to wear a face covering to help reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 infection. We will also be maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors, and sharing these with NHS Test and Trace where requested, so that we can help to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

There are Perspex screens around the library counters and the use of self-service machines is encouraged.

No unaccompanied children under 12 years of age are allowed into the library in order to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to.
 
Learning from the reopening will be monitored and reviewed and further libraries may be reopened at a later date as part of the phased approach.
 
The Home Library Service has resumed on a non-contact basis service and extended to include shielded people and those who are very vulnerable for health and wellbeing reasons.
 
Open + self-access hours will not be operating and library events and group activities will not be taking place however a full programme of online activities is available and being developed further.
 
Tameside Council Executive Member Cllr Leanne Feeley, who is responsible for culture, said: “We all know the importance of libraries and the difference they make to people’s daily lives, whether that be for learning, health, information, reading for pleasure or any of the other many benefits offered.
 
“This much loved public resource has been greatly missed during lockdown and I am keen that libraries are re-opened as soon as possible with the safety of both customers and staff being of the utmost importance. This is a really positive step but I ask that people are responsible and work with us to keep themselves and others safe by observing the social distancing guidance and not spending any longer in the libraries than they need to.”

Fines/Book Renewal
All items that were due during the lockdown period had been renewed until the end of June to ensure that no fines are attracted when people are unable to return them. All loan items are now extended to the first date a branch is open after 1 October 2020 to allow sufficient time for people to return their items following opening of libraries.

If you think that your items were overdue before the libraries were closed, there may still be a fine. Please contact us on 0161 342 2031 or email information.direct@tameside.gov.uk so that we can help.


Telephone enquiry service
You can get help and advice with your information or library enquiries from Tameside Libraries Information Service. You can call Ashton Library on 0161 342 2031 during opening hours. You can also renew your library items over the phone.

Libraries Open From 6 July 2020

Story Makers 4 – Be Kind is Coming Soon Via Zoom
 

After the huge success of the last three projects, Tameside Libraries are pleased to announce that Tameside Story Makers is back for a fourth time.  This time the theme is ‘Be Kind’.

Story Makers Be Kind sessions are fun and interactive story sessions designed for children aged 0-4 and their families with Simon the Story Teller and the free weekly sessions will be on Zoom.


Families who attend will have the opportunity to work with award winning writer Caryl Hart and illustrator Andy Rowland to create a children’s picture book which will be printed and published. 

For more information on the sessions and details of how to book have a look at the Story Makers page.
 

 

Tameside_Libraries      @tmbc_culture

Tameside Libraries Readers’ and Writers’ Festival via Zoom

Welcome to Tameside Libraries Digital Words, our month long digital Readers’ and Writers’ Festival.

Meet some of the UK’s bestselling authors; including; Matt Hilton, Milly Johnson and Rowan Coleman. 

Sophie Parkes-Nield from Mossley Writers’ will be running a short creative writing course based on and around what lockdown life was like during the pandemic. Everyone is welcome, whether you're a seasoned writer, an avid reader or a complete beginner.

During Half Term John Kirk will be taking us on a story hunt and Dommy B presents a family poetry show.

All our events are free but booking is required. Bookings will be taken from Friday 18 September at tamesidelibraries.eventbrite.co.uk or phone 0161 342 2031.

Find out more and see the events listing on our Digital Words page.

 

Tameside Libraries are participating in a project by Global Grooves - Can you help find The Missing Patch?

A hot air balloon has come down in Tameside. A man is desperate to get to Rio in time for Carnival.

‘Questions, questions! We don’t have time for questions! Can’t you just get me a new patch? Then I’ll be in Rio in no time!’

‘Okay,’ I said. ‘I’ve got some friends that can help.’



 

What’s the project?

Our friends in the Tameside Carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, have stumbled across a downed hot air balloon. Can you help them find The Missing Patch and help the eccentric pilot on his way to Rio for Carnival?
 
Visit themissingpatch.org to read the story and hear from our hot air balloon pilot and then write what happens next in the story!


The challenge

You could be an author! Submit your work and you could feature in the Global Grooves digital storybook that will then be available on Borrowbox, The Tameside Libraries eBook lending service, for people to borrow and read.  We will also share our favourite Missing Patch poems and stories on our social media channels.

Prefer to make or draw something?
Then you could also:

• Request a batik kit to create your own patch at home.
• Design your own batik patch by drawing round a dinner plate and decorating it however you choose.

You can find out more at https://themissingpatch.org/ where you can also upload and submit your creations.

Got any questions?
Please email hello@themissingpatch.org or call 0161 8706895 and the Global Grooves team will be happy to help.
 
But make haste! We haven’t long to get the hot air balloon on its way! 

Celebrate Black History Month During October

Whether you’ve been inspired to find out more by the Black Lives Matter movement, want to find out about your own background or just explore some incredible stories Tameside Libraries has something for you during Black History Month this October.
 
Books and Other Resources
 
You can find a selection of books here on the library catalogue. There are lots to choose from and the catalogue will let you know which libraries have items in stock and whether they are on loan. You can also login to reserve and choose your pickup location.
 
 
eBooks and eAudiobooks
 
There are also a wide range of information books to read or listen to via BorrowBox plus biographies, poetry and fiction by black authors.
 
To borrow an eBook, eAudiobook, you will need to log into BorrowBox with your library card and PIN. The PIN is the DDYY of your birth so the 1st January 1990 would be 0190.
 
You can read online or download the app and start reading within five minutes. Find out more about eReading.
 
If you're not a member you can join online and start using BorrowBox now for free.
 
 

Find out More with our Virtual Reference tools
 
Find out about more about prominent figures in British Black History with the Dictionary Of National Biography and Encyclopaedia Britannica which are available online with your Tameside Libraries Card.
These examples are from the Dictionary of National Biography.

• Playwright and screenwriter Michael Abbensetts the British Guianan creator of Empire Road who’s earlier BBC2 play The Museum Attendant proved a shocking exposé of the racism experienced by a black museum attendant in his place of work in the 60s and 70s.
• Early Ghanaian born anti-slavery campaigner and writer Cugoano, Ottobah [John Stuart] (b. 1757?) who published Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil and Wicked Traffic of the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species (1787), to refute religious and secular pro-slavery arguments. He and his colleagues demanded the immediate freedom of all slaves and the abolition of the slave trade. 
• Sir Mancherjee Merwanjee Bhownaggree, born the son of a Bombay merchant of Persian origin who studied law in England, came to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1885 and became Conservative MP for Bethnal Green in 1895 where he was criticised for taking the British-Indian line.