Oldham Libraries earns national Met Strong rating from Arts Council England
Oldham Libraries has received a Met Strong rating from Arts Council England as part of the Libraries Development Framework, recognising excellence in community impact and innovation. The service was praised for using data to design programmes in early years literacy, digital inclusion, and health literacy. Council leaders highlighted the achievement as a source of pride for the borough and evidence of the libraries' vital community role. Over the next five years, Oldham Libraries will use the framework to develop partnerships and secure funding. In 2026, they will launch Author Sparks, an Arts Council-funded programme offering free author workshops and creative writing activities for children across the borough.