Libraries news

Oldham Libraries has been told it is doing well. Arts Council England gave the service a 'Met Strong' mark in December, the top grade under its national Libraries Development Framework. The verdict came as the borough prepared to mark 2026 as the National Year of Reading, a country-wide push to get adults and children picking up books again.

The grade will not change opening hours overnight, but it should help the town hall argue for future grants. Staff say the rating reflects higher visitor numbers, new clubs, and the Summer Reading Challenge that saw record primary-school sign-ups last year. Councillor Elaine Taylor, who holds the libraries brief, called the result 'hard evidence that our buildings matter to people'.

Readers will notice physical changes too. Royton Town Hall Library reopened in September after a £3 million restoration that restored Victorian tiles and installed a lift. Gallery Oldham and the central library will share £564,375 to replace roofs and wiring.

The Local Studies collection will shut for several weeks this summer while staff relocate to a purpose-built store inside the redeveloped Spindles Centre. The new space will let visitors handle fragile maps and photographs in temperature-controlled rooms for the first time.

Digital access is also quietly expanding. Oldham Council's 'Donate IT' appeal asks residents to hand in old tablets and laptops; volunteers wipe the devices and pass them to families who lack kit for homework or job searches. Library staff say 120 gadgets have been redistributed since February 2024, with another 200 promised this year.