Libraries

As Tameside Council takes steps to protect the community and redeploy its workforce and resources to deliver essential services, libraries and some other public facings buildings will close and some other public facing buildings are now closed and services will instead be delivered in alternative ways. The changes took effect from midnight on Wednesday 18 March 2020.
 

During this period libraries will still provide the following services:

• Access to our full suite of digital services, which includes e-books, e-audio books, digital magazines and newspapers, and other online resources.

• Access to your library account online. From this you can renew any items, manage your reservations, and change personal details.

• Telephone enquiry service. You can get help and advice with your information or library enquiries by phoning Ashton Library on 0161 342 2029 or 0161 342 2031 Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm. You can also renew your library items over the phone.

• Email enquiry service. You can get help and advice with your information or library enquiries by emailing information.direct@tameside.gov.uk

• If you are not currently a library member but wish to join you can do this by completing the online application form on the website or by telephoning Ashton library.

• Please note that no events or activities organised by library staff will take place.

Return of items - we are asking customers to keep any library materials they have on loan until further notice. Items can be renewed, and we would like to reassure library customers that during this period they will not incur any fines should items become overdue.
 

For more information please email information.direct@tameside.gov.uk or phone Ashton Library on 0161 342 2029 or 0161 342 2031.

 
You can still use our  Digital Resources, so there's plenty to keep you occupied. Click the links below to find out more.
 

If you’re looking for information or help with studying or want to find out about something, try one of Virtual Reference Library resources.
 
What will you find today? There’s something for everyone at Tameside Libraries

Online resources to keep children informed and occupied

There’s a wealth of useful resources on the internet to help with children’s homework, keeping them engaged with learning and reading even whilst they’re not at school. Look out for more ideas via our Social Media.

@Tameside_Libraries      @tmbc_culture

Encyclopedia Britannica is free to Tameside Libraries members, click the links and type in your library card number to log in.
Encyclopedia Britannica - Junior edition  (ages 5 to 10)
Encyclopedia Britannica - Student edition  (ages 10 to 14)
Encyclopedia Britannica - Adult edition  (ages 14 and up)
BorrowBox – maintain reading and language skills with a range of eBooks & eAudioBooks.
PressReader – Stay informed with daily national & international newspapers and amagazines, practise French, German or another language with the many foreign titles. Learn to cook, sew or get them engaged with a comic.
RB Digital – Older children may find eMagazines useful for homework, reading skills or keeping up with hobbies and interests.
The Booktrust has a range of fun things to do and inspiring items from authors and illustrators. Booktrust Hometime
Chatterpack have a list of a list of free, online, boredom-busting resources! There’s something for everyone here so we can all learn along together. Chatterpack boredom busters
The BBC’s Tiny Happy People is a new project with a wealth of ideas on giving babies and toddlers the best possible start on speech and language, so important to their future development and achievement. Tiny Happy People
Story Makers author Caryl Hart has put together a collection of resources that authors & illustrators are creating for those in isolation and home learning. Caryl Hart Children’s books
Openculture Guide to free cultural and educational media on the web http://www.openculture.com/
The Maths Factor is Carol Vorderman’s fun maths tutorials linked to the national curriculum for 4-12 year olds is free during the coronavirus school closures (it is usually £2 per week). https://www.themathsfactor.com/
Chetham’s School of Music Outreach team have created some fantastic music activities, suitable for all ages that you can enjoy. https://outreach.chethams.com/resources/
Collins Educational Publishers have made a range of free resources available to help support your child's learning at home, while schools are closed. https://collins.co.uk/pages/support-learning-at-home

Telephone and email enquiry service.

Information

Tameside Libraries Information Service exists to provide information to anyone, on any subject. There are thousands of items of stock managed by specialist staff, and all enquiries for information are welcome. We can help with a range of information enquiries such as searching for business information, Which? reports, and general enquiries. You can also renew your library items over the phone or by email to information.direct@tameside.gov.uk

You can get help and advice with your information or library enquiries by calling Ashton Library on 0161 342 2031 or 0161 342 2029 Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm.
 

Digital Resources

If you want some advice on accessing our Digital Resources, we can help to clarify the login process and our staff can help deal with any problems you may have with your device.

Tameside Libraries Information Service have an online reference resources collection. These can be accessed by Library members at home, work, or wherever they use the Internet.

Visit our online library services page to find out more about all of our online resources

Health Information

Tameside Libraries Information Service also manages the Health Information Centre an information service located in Tameside General Hospital for patients and their carers.

Online resources to keep you occupied and involved

There’s a wealth of useful resources on the internet to help with you overcome loneliness and frustration if you’re isolating or social distancing. Look out for more ideas and activities via our Social Media.

@Tameside_Libraries   @tmbc_culture
 

BorrowBox – Reading is so important to improve general knowledge, mental functions, focus and concentration. It has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and can boost sleep quality. Keep reading with BorrowBox.
PressReader – Stay informed with daily national & international newspapers or lose yourself with a magazine.
RB Digital – More eMagazines to help with everything from the TV schedules to general hobbies and interests.
Learn My Way - Free and simple online courses for I.T. beginners. Register here with your email the first time then log back into the same account next time. Please use the centre code 3457097. To try at home download the instructions.
iDEA - Free online courses to improve your digital skills; collect badges as you complete units and build up to an award. Register here with an email account and use the badge code TANDGIDEA to get your first two points! To try at home download the instructions.
Chatterpack have a list of a list of free, online, boredom-busting resources! There’s something for everyone here so we can all learn along together. Chatterpack boredom busters
Mind have a useful page to support those who are feeling anxious or stressed by the Coronavirus situation with lots of suggestions that could help your wellbeing. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
The National Theatre Live are offering productions via YouTube. There’ll be a new play each week from Thursday 2 April for those who are missing their cultural outings. http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ntlout99-national-theatre-at-home
Medici TV features a range of videos featuring Ballet, Opera, Classical Music as well as documentaries and Masterclasses from around the world. Medici TV is currently free for Tameside Libraries members with their library card. https://www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/onlineservices#medici
Age UK’s Call in Time service is a free telephone friendship service for people 60 and over. They'll match you up with a likeminded person who's keen to make a new friend, and every week they'll give you a call. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/sign-up-for-telephone-befriending/
Sport England’s Stay in, work out page gives tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home. https://www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout
FutureLearn offers lots of free undergraduate modules that you can study online, check out the literature courses or explore other topics. https://www.futurelearn.com/subjects/literature-courses
BBC History Extra is the web version of BBC History Magazine and currently has free access to articles and podcasts https://www.historyextra.com/
The Reader is a national charity promoting reading and literature as a tool for helping people to live well. Their daily reading is available on social media. https://www.thereader.org.uk/get-involved/whats-on/daily-reading/