Friends of Burnage Library
8909086
Friends of Burnage Library (FOBL) came about through a successful campaign by local people in 2013 to keep the library open after its proposed closure, and develop the Burnage Library, Activity and Information Hub. We provide an inclusive space for local people of all ethnicities, faiths, genders and ages to access information, connect with and support each other, learn new skills and make things
happen.
Our work is built on an understanding of and respect for our diverse community. We have built an excellent partnership with Manchester Libraries and Southway Housing. We’ve also built a 40+ team of dedicated volunteers, and our community powered library now extends 21 hours of library facilities to the community, supporting access to information for local people.
However we go well beyond a traditional library. Over the last nine years we’ve grown to meet local needs and priorities, offering a range of creative, social, cultural, wellbeing and learning activities. A
significant outcome has been the increased diversity and participation of users and an increase in the annual number of visits to over 12,000. Our local volunteers give over 4,500 hours per year to support
day to day running, activities, events and governance.
The library is a trusted local place. Open to all with a “Can Do” ethos, it consistently scores highly in evaluations for its friendly, responsive, and welcoming service. Shaped by its users and volunteers and
the strength of their local knowledge, it has evolved into a well-loved community ‘anchor’, incubating the ideas and initiatives of local people and supporting them to develop and share their skills.
We help to foster new relationships, design and run activities and events, and collaborate with other groups and partners to make Burnage a more connected, more creative, more resilient place.
We work with schools to ensure that every child in Burnage can have a library card, and promote initiatives supporting their wellbeing, connection to the wider community, reading and literacy.
Our vision:
Connecting people to information: so they can be active in making informed choices. Providing front line response to queries, supporting access to digital and offline information and signposting people to neighbourhood activities and opportunities, health, education and transport, Council and Statutory information, and participate in local consultations.
Connecting people to each other: creating a space where people from different backgrounds come together to share their skills, learn something new, enjoy new friendships, and form networks of support, increasing their resilience and wellbeing. Providing a free, informal meeting space where local people can meet and plan, access our resources and make new things happen.
Connecting people to opportunities: ensuring people in our neighbourhood do not miss out on opportunities that can enrich their lives; through valuing and sharing their skills through volunteering, participating in projects, activities and events; extending high quality cultural experiences, bringing opportunities across Manchester into Burnage.
Library Services:
- Borrow adult and children’s books, along with spoken-word material, using your Manchester Libraries’ membership card.
- Return items from any Manchester library. Fines/charges can be paid using the library’s self-issue machine, or over the phone by debit/credit card by calling 0161 219 2393.
- Reserve and collect items from the Manchester Libraries’ catalogue.
- Access free Wi-Fi throughout Hub, provided by the Manchester Busy Bee network.
- Use one of the 8 computers with internet access with your Manchester Libraries’ membership card. (Please note that the computers will shut down 15 minutes before the library closes.)
- Print, scan, or photocopy documents using one of the computers (10p per black and white sheet, 20p for colour).
Activities at the Library. Please check our website for times and availability:
https://www.burnageactivityhub.org.uk/wp/?page_id=11
- Digital Cafe- IT support drop-in sessions.
- Talk English - Conversational group to help people improve their English language skills.
- Singing Rhyme and Storytime - for pre-school children and their parents and carers
- Carer's Group - Meet other carers and have a chat over a cup of tea/coffee and receive support from people in similar situations, who understand the issues you may be facing.
- Legal Advice Clinic
- Local History group
- Lego Club
- Craft Sessions
- Book Club
- Writers' Group
- Art Club
- Councillors Advice Surgery
10am - 4pm
10am - 1pm
10am - 4pm
10am - 1pm
English
We have two rooms for hire. Please view our website for more details: https://www.burnageactivityhub.org.uk/wp/?page_id=756
Donation tins are available on the library counter.