Proposed Library Strategy

The priorities keep reading and learning at the centre while making better use of libraries to widen opportunity and reduce inequality. 

1. Reading, literacy and lifelong learning 

Helping people of all ages enjoy reading, build confidence and keep learning. 

2. Live Well, health and wellbeing 

Offering friendly local spaces for connection, everyday support and wellbeing. 

3. Information, digital and customer access 

Helping people get online, find trusted information and use essential services. 

4. Employment, skills and enterprise 

Connecting residents to learning, skills, job support and enterprise opportunities. 

5. Culture, creativity and heritage 

Bringing arts, creativity, local history and cultural experiences into neighbourhoods.   

6. Community, volunteering and neighbourhoods 

Supporting resident-led activity, volunteering and stronger local networks. 

7. Green and climate action 

Helping people learn about sustainability, reuse resources and take local action. 

8. Inclusive, accessible and future-ready 

Removing barriers and designing services with the people who use them. 

9. Children, young people and families 

Helping improve life chances, learning, wellbeing, confidence and aspirations. 

1: Helping people of all ages enjoy reading, build confidence and keep learning. 

• Provide a diverse, inclusive and relevant book stock for all ages and interests. 
• Deliver reading programmes including Summer Reading Challenge, Reading Ahead and shared reading opportunities. 
• Support early language and literacy development through rhyme times, story times and family learning activities. 
• Offer access to learning resources, online courses and informal learning opportunities. 
• Work with schools, colleges and community organisations to improve literacy outcomes and reduce educational inequalities. 

2: Offering friendly local spaces for connection, everyday support and wellbeing. 

• Provide free, warm and welcoming community spaces where everyone can belong. 
• Support mental health and wellbeing through Reading Well collections, social activities and community connections. 
• Work with health and wellbeing partners to offer information, advice and outreach services. 
• Reduce social isolation by creating opportunities for people to meet, participate and connect. 
• Promote healthy lifestyles through events, information and signposting. 

3: Helping people get online, find trusted information and use essential services. 

• Provide free access to computers, Wi-Fi and digital resources. 
• Support residents to develop digital skills and confidence. 
• Help people access online council, health, education and government services. 
• Promote trusted information and tackle misinformation. 
• Ensure staff and volunteers can provide customer-focused support and signposting. 

4. Connecting residents to learning, skills, job support and enterprise opportunities. 

• Support job seekers with access to technology, training and employment resources. 
• Work with partners to deliver careers advice, skills development and adult learning opportunities. 
• Promote employability workshops, CV support and interview preparation. 
• Provide spaces and resources that support entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses. 
• Connect residents with local opportunities for training, volunteering and work experience. 

5. Bringing arts, creativity, local history and cultural experiences into neighbourhoods. 

• Deliver a varied programme of arts, culture and creative activities across the borough. 
• Support local artists, writers and creative practitioners. 
• Preserve, promote and improve access to local history and heritage collections 
• Celebrate the diversity of Rochdale's communities through cultural events and exhibitions. 
• Bring cultural opportunities into neighbourhoods through partnerships and outreach activity.  

6. Supporting resident-led activity, volunteering and stronger local networks. 

• Develop volunteering opportunities that are meaningful and inclusive. 
• Support community groups to connect, collaborate and grow. 
• Provide spaces that encourage community participation and civic pride. 
• Empower residents to lead activities and share their skills. 
• Build strong partnerships that address local priorities and inequalities. 

7. Helping people learn about sustainability, reuse resources and take local action. 

• Promote environmental learning and climate awareness. 
• Encourage recycling, reuse and sharing through library services and activities. 
• Support community-led environmental projects and local action. 
• Reduce the environmental impact of our operations where possible. 
• Work with partners to help residents make sustainable choices. 

8. Removing barriers and designing services with the people who use them. 

• Design services that are inclusive, welcoming and easy to access. 
• Listen to underrepresented communities and remove barriers to participation. 
• Improve accessibility across our buildings, resources and digital services. 
• Embrace innovation and new technology where it improves customer experience. 
• Continuously adapt services to meet changing community needs. 

9. Helping improve life chances, learning, wellbeing, confidence and aspirations. 

• Support early years development through books, play, language and learning activities. 
• Encourage reading for pleasure and educational achievement. 
• Provide safe spaces where children and young people can learn, create and socialise. 
• Work with families, schools and community partners to improve life chances. 
• Create opportunities that build confidence, resilience, aspirations and skills for the future.