Library Services Directory
Choose from the letters below for more information about the
Library Service and what it offers.
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z
Magazines
Each Cheshire East Library takes
at least one local and one national newspaper and subscribes to a
selection of periodicals/ magazines covering interests and
hobbies.
Meeting
Rooms
Many of our libraries have meeting rooms and
tea and coffee making facilities for community groups and
businesses. If you wish to use these facilities, please ask a
member of staff for details. There is a charge for this
service.
Minicom Text
phones
A minicom is a small machine that can
be used with a telephone, to receive and transmit messages which
are typed into it. Some libraries have a Minicom. If you are
deaf or hard of hearing you can use
the library minicom free of charge to phone anywhere in the UK.
Mobile
libraries
We have mobile
libraries which take books for all ages into the rural
areas of Cheshire East. They provide a fortnightly service. Please
contact the Information Point on 0300 123 55 00 for
details of routes.
Mobile libraries also operate from the
Education Library Service; these take
books to schools throughout Cheshire East.
Multicultural
Services
Books and tapes/CDs on learning English as an Additional Language
(EAL) can be borrowed or reserved at any library. Libraries can
also offer information on local courses. Visit our multicultural services web page for further
information.
Multimedia
Most libraries have Multimedia
sections, where you will find the latest CDs, DVDs, console
games, videos and CD-ROMs. There is a charge for the loan of
these items. The current charges are listed in the Library Charges leaflet, on display in all
libraries.
Museums and
Heritage
The Museums and
Heritage Service provides information on museums in Cheshire
East and Cheshire West and Chester. Find out about events and
activities, as well as education and lifelong learning
opportunities.
Music
From Stravinsky to the Sugababes, the
Beatles to Count Basie, line-dancing to Lloyd-Webber - the array of
artistes and styles available on CD in Cheshire East Libraries will
be music to your ears! If you cannot find the title you wish
to borrow at your local library, you can reserve it if it is in
stock at another library. There is a charge
for the loan of these items.
Music
Scores
Single or multiple copies of music scores can
be ordered directly from Bibliographic Services at Hoole Road,
Chester, but can be collected from the library of your choice.
There is a fee for borrowing multiple sets; please ask for details.
See also sheet music. Phone 01244
976048/6 for details.
Newspapers
Each Cheshire East library takes at least 1 local and 1 national
daily newspaper, which may be read in the library. Most libraries
also keep backdated copies of local newspapers. Historic
collections of local newspapers are held at the Cheshire Record
Office.
Ordering
items
You can order or reserve items which are not
currently available at your local library. Simply fill in a
Reservation Form and we will send you a postcard or email to let
you know when the item you have reserved is ready for you to
borrow. Use our suggestion forms for books and multimedia items not
already in stock, we'll do our best to add them to our
collection.
You can reserve items
online through our Library Catalogue.
Parish Records
In addition to collections at the Cheshire Record Office, some of our larger
libraries hold local collections of Parish Records. Please contact
the individual libraries for
details. Macclesfield Library provides a
leaflet (PDF,
105KB) with details of Parish Records held at the library.
People's
Network
All Cheshire East libraries have
People's Network
computers available for you to use. These allow you to
access the internet, library catalogue, homework resources and the
Virtual Reference Library, send email, use Word
and other Office software. Terms and conditions of use
apply (PDF, 46KB).
Printing and scanning facilities are available in all Cheshire East
libraries. Demand for use can be high, so booking in advance is
advisable. Please contact your local
library for details.
Computer use is free for the first hour of use each day. Remember
to bring your library membership card with you. If you are not a
library member just bring along one form of ID (which must show
your address) and join on the day!
Under 16s will need a signed parental
consent declaration form (PDF, 46KB) before using the
computers. If you are under 16 and need to join the library you
will need a parent or carer to sign your joining form and show one
form of identification. They can either do this in the library or
sign your form at home and you can bring the signed form and
the identification with you.
Photocopiers
All libraries have black and white coin operated photocopiers for
you to use.
Photographs
Larger libraries will have some photographs relating to their
locality. There is also a countywide collection of photographs,
slides, prints and other images at the Cheshire Record Office.
Some of these images are being stored
digitally and made available on CD-ROM in larger libraries. Please
phone 01244 603018 for further details. Digital images created from
original materials held at the Cheshire
Record Office and in Cheshire East Libraries are available
online at the Cheshire Archives and Local Studies digital image
website.
PIN
A
PIN
is
required to access the details of your loans and reservations and
to reserve and renew items on the Cheshire Libraries Catalogue.
If you do not know your
PIN
, contact your local library or e-mail
librarynotifications@cheshireeast.gov.uk,
quoting your library card number, and confirming your name and
address.
Playgroups and
Nurseries
Playgroups, nurseries and parent/toddler
groups can borrow books for use by children in their care. 'Big
books' are also available for loan in some libraries. Local
Authority nursery schools can use the Education Library Service. For details of
crèches, nurseries, holiday play schemes, childminders, out of
school clubs and parent/toddler groups please contact the Sure
Start team 0800 0852863.
Plays
Hoole
Library has a special collection of plays. Single and
multiple copies of plays are available for loan. A list of new
titles is available on request.
One act play collection : colour
coding.
Light green - comedy - mixed cast -
1-6 characters
Dark green - comedy - mixed cast - 7+ characters
Light brown - drama - mixed cast - 1-6 characters
Dark brown - drama - mixed cast - 7+ characters
Light red - comedy - female cast - 1-6
characters
Dark red - comedy - female cast - 7+ characters
Light blue - drama - female cast - 1-6 characters
Dark blue - drama - female cast - 7+ characters
Yellow - all male cast - any cast
size
A full list of plays (MS Excel, 404KB) is
available. Please contact Hoole Library for further details 01244
347401.
Prison
library
We provide a library service at
HM Prison in Styal.
Publications for
sale
The following items are available for sale from
some of our libraries:- local postcards, booklets, greeting cards,
and educational posters.
Randolph Caldecott Collection
Randolph Caldecott, artist and book illustrator, was born at 150
Bridge Street, Chester in 1846. He was educated at King Henry
VIII School in Chester. He died in Florida in 1886, and there is a
memorial to him in Chester Cathedral.
Chester Library has a collection of about 140 volumes by
Caldecott, including his contributions to The Graphic Magazine,
Washington Irving's 'Old Christmas' and 'Bracebridge Hall' and his
series of picture books such as 'The House that Jack Built', 'Babes
in the Wood' and 'Ride a Cock Horse'. Please contact the library in
advance to view the collection, as it is located on closed
access.
Readers
Whether
you are looking for book reviews, literature events, reading groups
or inspiration, the Readers and Writers website has something for
you.
Reading Groups
If you are interested in joining or setting up a Reading Group, we
can offer information and multiple copies of a range of titles; ask
at your local library for details.
Records and Archives
The Cheshire Record Office collects and cares for
the principal collection of records and archives for the county of
Cheshire, from the 12th century to the present day. Members of the
public can consult these archives in the search room, free of
charge and by appointment.
Reference
collections
All Cheshire East
libraries have a collection of reference books for answering
everyday enquiries and checking elusive facts in almanacs, atlases,
dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias and yearbooks.
The larger libraries have more extensive collections for students
and have trained staff available to handle more complex enquiries.
Study facilities are also available.
The Virtual Reference Library is accessible 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. There are a growing number of excellent
information resources at your fingertips; simply log on and enter
the number on your library card when prompted.
Renewing items
Books should be returned within three
weeks.
If you can't bring your books back by the return date, in order to
avoid paying fines items can be renewed by phoning your library, the online catalogue, fax,
post or in person. You can also renew loans on the dedicated
telephone renewals number: 0845 148 0148. This renewal will be for
a further three week period unless the item is requested by another
borrower.
Books can be renewed without coming into the library up to eight
times, and then must be brought into a library for returns or a
further renewal.
Most Cheshire East libraries now use a computerised issuing
system. You will only need the borrower number on your membership
card to enable you to renew items by phone. A PIN is required for online renewals.
Multimedia items such as CDs and DVDs may also be renewed if not
required by other borrowers. Such renewals will incur a further
charge at the rate of the original loan. Multimedia items will be
issued for a further week. After this date a daily fines rate will apply.
Reserving and requesting items
If we don't have the item you want, we can try to borrow it from
another Cheshire East or Cheshire West and Chester library. The
stock of our libraries is listed on our catalogue. If you
have not used this before the staff will be very pleased to help
you. There is a charge for reserving
items. You can now reserve items online at our Library Catalogue
pages.
If you would like to reserve an item that is not held by any of our
libraries, our Interlending Unit can provide items from other UK
libraries or even a library outside the UK if necessary. Just go
into a library to place your reservation. Charges apply to these
services, details of which can be found in our Library Charges leaflet.
Romany Collection
Romany was the name used by the Rev. George Bramwell Evens
(1884-1943) in his BBC Children's Hour radio broadcasts Out
with Romany in the 1930s and 40s. His mother was a true
gypsy and the caravan, or vardo, he used for his outings can still
be seen outside Wilmslow Library, along
with the memorial to his dog, Raq.
Wilmslow Library holds a collection of Romany's books and copies of
the Romany magazine, published annually by the Romany Society,
which can be accessed during library opening hours for reference
only.
Rhyme times
Rhyme times for under 5's are
offered at various Cheshire East Libraries. A full list of rhyme
times is available, covering all Cheshire East and Cheshire
West and Chester Libraries. You can also check the individual library pages for details.
Salt
Museum
There has been a Salt Museum in Northwich for
over 100 years. The museum runs a programme of events and
exhibitions, and caters for members of the public, school parties
and researchers.
Schools
Advice and resources for schools are provided by the Education Library Service. Teachers can also
take their class to visit the local public library by
arrangement.
Sheet Music
Most
libraries have some sheet music, but bigger collections of music
scores are available at the largest libraries. Sets of vocal scores
are also available on request in the library for a small fee.
Silk Industry
Collection
Macclesfield Library holds a large
collection of books and pamphlets on the Silk industry and the
textile industry in and around Macclesfield, dating from 1825. The
collection can be accessed for reference only during normal library
opening hours. It is housed in glass cabinets, so please ask staff
for assistance.
Skills for Life
Figures show that up to 20%
of the population need some extra help with reading, writing and
mathematics. Cheshire East Libraries
provide some materials to help, and can also supply details of
local courses. Libraries are welcoming places, and staff are always
willing to give advice. You can also visit our Skills for Life web page for further
details of services provided.
Special Collections
Although these
collections are housed in various libraries, items from selected
collections can be reserved through any library in the county.
These are a Militaria collection based at
Chester library; Agricultural at Reaseheath College, Nantwich;
Plays (MS
Excel, 404KB) at
Hoole Library; Vocal Scores at the County Reserve Store and
Special Needs collections for children at
Chester Library, Crewe Library, Macclesfield Library
and
Winsford library.
Through a special arrangement the 'Railway' collection at
Widnes Library is also available to Cheshire East
borrowers.
Other special collections include the Romany Collection at Wilmslow Library, the Silk Collection and Tunnicliffe Collection, both at
Macclesfield Library and the Whitfield Collection at Knutsford Library. Please note that these
collections are for reference use only in the host library. Items
within these collections are not available for loan and
cannot be reserved through any library.
Special Needs
We
have a collection of books and other materials for use by
parents/carers with children who have
special needs - visual, audio, physical, emotional or
learning difficulties. For special needs provision for adults, see
our disabilities entry.
Contact the Project Officer on 01244 976025 for details, or
visit our additional library
services web page.
Story Time
Story
times for under 5's are offered at various Cheshire East Libraries.
A full list of storytimes is available,
covering all Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester
Libraries. You can also check the individual library pages for details.
Stretton
Watermill
Stretton Watermill is a
working mill set in beautiful rural Cheshire West and Chester. It
is one of the country's best preserved demonstration water- powered
corn mills. Discover the history of the mill or come along to one
of our summer events.
Supernova
Supernova provides a method of magnifying computer screens,
including the internet and email, and gives a range of colour
options to help people with various eye problems. It can also
convert text to speech, for those who are unable to read the
screen. Supernova is currently available in many libraries, and we
hope to install it in all libraries by the end of 2009. Please
contact your local library for information.
Talking books
All libraries have collections of talking books, most of which
are complete, unabridged recordings. There is generally a small charge for borrowing these items, but
persons who have difficulty in reading or handling books may borrow
them free of charge.
Teenagers
There is a teenage section in
every library with books chosen for young people. These include
both popular series and classics. All parts of the library are open
to teenagers; this includes the Reference area, MultiMedia and
information and study areas.
Each library has a 'Teenage Fact File' (PDF 66KB) -
a reference collection of leaflets on subjects that concern young
people.
Teenspace
The place for teens in Cheshire
Libraries. Teenspace links to a range of
websites and services aimed specifically at teenagers. It's for
you, for lifestyle and learning!
Tunnicliffe
Collection
Macclesfield Library holds a collection of
books and ephemera from 1933 about the work of, or written or
illustrated by C F Tunnicliffe (1901-1979), a local author and
illustrator born in Langley. His illustrations were predominantly
of flora and fauna and wildlife, particularly birds. Some of the
books contain notes made by Tunnicliffe. The collection includes
Brooke Bond Dividend Tea cards, greetings cards and postcards
illustrated by Tunnicliffe.
The collection can be accessed for reference only during normal
library opening hours. Please ask staff for assistance, as the
collection is housed in glass cabinets.
Video caption
readers
If you are deaf or
hard of hearing you can borrow a video caption reader free
for home use when you borrow videos from the library. Simply plug
this small machine into your TV and video player and it will
generate captions onscreen. Make sure that the video you borrow
bears the videocaption symbol. Since the advent of DVD, these
readers are now only available in a small number of our
libraries.
Videos
You can
borrow a range of videos from Cheshire East libraries, including
our unique Special Interest Collection - a range of videos to help
you get the most from your leisure time. There is a charge for this service. If you
need to use subtitles, video caption readers are available.
There is a small central collection of audio-described videos for
people who are visually impaired. A
catalogue is available.
Virtual Reference Library -
VRL
The VRL provides access to an extensive range of
reference works at the click of a mouse. Britannica, The Dictionary
of National Biography, newspaper databases, Kompass Business
Directory and many more can be viewed by logging on to the Library
homepage and entering your library card number when prompted. The
majority of resources may be used from home or work, and all can be
accessed at your local library via the People's Network computers.
Visually impaired
All
libraries have collections of books in large print, as well as
talking books on cassette or
CD. People who have difficulty reading print or handling books
are not charged for the loan of talking books.
Some of our larger libraries also have extra facilities for the
visually impaired. The library can provide information on other
talking book services and general services - both local and
national - for visually impaired people.
There is a central collection on visual impairment, including a
number of audio-described videos, and a catalogue is available.
Visit our visual impairment web
page for full details of services on offer.
Walter Crane Collection
Walter Crane, the illustrator, designer and painter, was born in
Liverpool in 1845, and appointed director of design at Manchester
School of Art in 1893. He died in Sussex in 1915.
Chester Library has a small collection of about 60 volumes by
Walter Crane, including the series of Toy Books, nursery rhymes and
fairy tales for very young children, and his writings on decorative
art such as 'Decorative Illustration' and 'Ideals in Art'. Please
contact the library in advance to view the collection as it is
located on closed access.
Whitfield Collection
Knutsford Library holds a collection of
books about Mrs Gaskell and her works, which was collected by
Professor A Stanton Whitfield (1900-1975). He was teaching English
Literature in Japan whilst writing his book, Mrs Gaskell:
her life and work, resulting in several items in the
collection being in Japanese. The collection contains many of Mrs
Gaskell's novels, biography, journals, foreign language editions,
dramatisations of her novels, literary criticisms, cuttings and
miscellaneous background material, and can be accessed during
normal library opening hours.
Wordprocessing and World Wide Web - see
Computers
Writers
The Readers and
Writers website provides information for writers. Whether
you are looking for literature events, writers groups or
competitions we have something for all writers.
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z