Best ways to get to our Festival of Library events

13 June 2022 - News

As we have over 100 events for our Festival of Libraries, it can be daunting to know what events are happening in your borough and how to get there. Here, we have provided a borough-by-borough breakdown of events across different libraries and venues, and how best to get there.

Bolton

Bolton Central Library

A bus stop at the Job Centre round the corner from Bolton Central Library has a stop for buses:
- 1, 480, 507, 526, 533, 535, 541, 561, 573, 125 gold, 501, 525, 527, 534, 537, 544, 562, 575 sapphire
A bus stop at the Market Hall also has a bus stop for buses 574 and 913.
The Bolton Bus Interchange in Bolton is a short walk from the Central Library, which is a bus station for many bus routes.
If you get a train to Bolton, it is a seven-minute walk from the station to the Central Library.
The closest car park is the NCP Bolton Octagon Theatre MSCP.

Royal Bolton Hospital

There are many car parking spaces within the Royal Bolton Hospital.
The bus stop at Plodder Lane (Stop B) is on the route for the buses 501 and 521.
Redgate Way bus stop is on the route for buses 501 and 521.
Royal Bolton Hospital (Stop A) is also a bus route for buses 501 and 521.
The Royal Bolton Hospital (Stop C) is for buses 501, 521 and 557, alongside the Royal Bolton Hospital (Stop F) and Royal Bolton Hospital (Stop E).
If you get a bus to Bolton or if you get a bus to Newport Street Bolton Interchange, you can get the 501 bus.

Events in Bolton include: Inspired By Libraries with Jay Blades, Migrant Voices at Bolton Central Library with Olympias Music Foundation, Bolton NHS Library Tours,

Bury

Prestwich Library

For the bus, the closest stop is Longfield Centre (Stop C) which is on the bus route for the 66.
The bus stop at Fairfax Road is on the bus route for 90 and 94.
The Longfield Centre (Stop B) and Longfield Centre (Stop D) are on the bus route for the 66, 94, 97, X41 Red Express, 90, 95, 98 and X43 Witchway buses.
There is a Park and Ride close to Prestwich Library.
Prestwich Metrolink Tram Stop is close to the library, which has trams from the Green Line and Yellow Line.

Events in Bury include: Little Libraries installation with Malandra Jacks, Relax in the library and Infant Mental Health Day at Bury Art Museum.

Manchester City Centre

John Rylands Research Institute and Library

John Rylands Library (Stop WH) is on the bus route for the number 2 Free Bus.
Bridge Street (Stop WH) is also on the bus route for the 8, 34A, 37, 50, V1 Vantage, V2 Vantage, 34, 36, 38 and X39 buses.
The Bridge Street bus stop is on the bus route for the 1 Free Bus, 34, 36, 38, 51, V1 Vantage, V2 Vantage, 8, 34A, 37 and 50 buses.
John Rylands is close to Manchester Brdge Street Car Park.
The closest Metrolink tram stop is St Peter’s Square.

The Migrant Voices Takeover is happening here!

Manchester Central Library

Manchester Central Library is just opposite St Peter’s Square Metrolink tram stop.
The bus stop for the Art Gallery (Stop SD and SE) are on the bus route for the 34, 34A, 50, 51, V1 Vantage and V2 Vantage buses.
Alternatively, the bus stop at Portland Street/Dickinson Street is for all buses, such as the 15, 33, 41 CrossCity, 42AA, 42C, 50, 85, 86, 102, 108, 142, 250, 255, 263 Sapphire, V1 Vantage, X50, 18, 33B, 42, 42B, 43, 51, 85A, 101, 103, 111, 143, 253, 256, 797 and V2 Vantage.
We also encourage you to walk and cycle, and cycle hubs can be found frequently nearby.

Events at Manchester Central Library include: Inspired by Libraries with Lemn Sissay, Reading Rascals, Activism: Past Present and Future, Sunday Funday with See Myself In Books, Trailblazers: Women of Manchester, Happy Safe and Free and Writing workshops with Will Harris.

Instituto Cervantes

The closest bus stop is the Sovereign House, which is on the route for the 1 Free Bus and 3 Free Bus.
The Museum (Stop WP) is also on the route for the 1 Free Bus, 33B and 33.
The closest car park is Manchester Stone Street Car Park.
Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink is a stones throw away, which is along the Blue Line, Navy Line, Purple Line, Green Line and Pink Line.
Deansgate train station is also nearby.

Don’t miss The Spanglish Girl Storytime here.

Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library is nearby Manchester Victoria train station and tram stop, Shudehill Metrolink stop is also nearby which is on the Blue Line, Navy Line, Green Line and Yellow Line.
The closest car park is Car Park Manchester Printworks APCOA.
For buses, the Victoria Station (Stops NY and NW) is close, which is on the bus route for the 2 Free Bus, 10, 67 Salford’s Reds, 93, 98, 113, 8, 59, 67A Salford’s Reds, 97, 100 Salford’s Reds.
The Printworks (Stop NP) is also on the bus route for the 41 CrossCity, 135 and 113 buses.
Victoria Street (Stop NI) is also on the bus route for the X41 Red Express and X43 Witchway.

Events here include: Letters in the Library, Print Me A Poem and online you can join Chetham’s with Nick Thurston for Seeing Libraries Differently, or pick up a copy of the accompanying newspaper in person.

Portico Library

The closest bus stop is Charlotte Street/Chinatown (Stop CR) which is on the route for the 1 Free Bus. The Chinatown (Stop CK) is also close, which is on the bus route for the 15, 33, 34, 38, 42, 42B, 43, 85, 86, 102, 108, 113, 142, 250, 255, 263 Sapphire, X50, 18, 33B, 34A, 41 CrossCity, 42A, 42C, 44, 85A, 101, 103, 111, 114, 143, 253, 256 and 797 buses.
The closest Metrolink is St Peter’s Square, which is on the Blue Line, Navy Line, Purple Line, Green Line and Pink Line.

Events here include: Little Libraries by Malandra Jacks, In The Margins at the Portico and the collection, the Crime Lecture Series and just a week after the festival dates we’ve got Pathways Into Publishing, for anyone interested in the world of publishing.

Manchester Poetry Library

The Manchester Poetry Library is situated on the Manchester Metropolitan University Campus. The closest bus stop is the Aquatics Centre, which is on the bus route for the 85, 86, 85A, 250 and 263 Sapphire. A further Aquatics Centre bus stop is on the bus route for the 15, 41 CrossCity, 42A, 42C, 44, 142, 147, 197, V2 Vantage, 18, 42, 42B, 43, 111, 143, 191 and V1 Vantage.
The All Saints Bus stop is on the bus route of the 15, 41 Cross City, 42A, 42C, 85, 86, 142, 250, 263 Sapphire, 18, 42, 42B, 43, 85A, 111, 143 and 253.
The closest train station is Manchester Oxford Road.
There are lots of benches and cycling hubs if you’re on foot or two wheels.

Events here include: Inspired By Libraries with Jackie Kay and Abigail Reynolds, Elliptical Reading, Love To Read with Lara Williams or Andrew McMillan, Tours of Manchester’s newest Library, or if you’re joining us online there’s the Future of Poetry Libraries discussion too.

Manchester University NHS Library

The closest bus stop is the Royal Infirmary, which is on the bus route for the 42, 42A, 42B, 42C and 142. Another Royal Informatory stop near Greggs on the other side of the road is on the bus route for the 53 Orbits and 147.
The Royal Infirmatory (Stop F) is on the bus route for the 15, 41 CrossCity, 44, 111, 143, V1 Vantage, 18, 43, 53 Orbits, 142, 147 and V2 Vantage.

You can have a tour of the library during the festival.

If you want to cover even more ground on foot, including many of the above libraries, be sure join Jonathon Schofield for his ultimate tour: The Best Anthology of Libraries in the UK on the 17th June, but be quick, tickets are selling fast!

Manchester North

Beswick Library

The closest bus stop is St Brigid’s School, which is on the bus route for the 710 bus.
The East Academy Manchester bus stop is also close for the 726 bus.
A bus stop on Sarah Street is on the bus route for the 217 bus.
A bus stop on Albert Street is also nearby for the 217, 710 and 726 buses.
Grey Mare lane also has a bus stop for the 53 Orbits, 710 and 733 buses.

We have a very special Carrot To The Stars workshop taking place here! As well as across plenty of other libraries too.

North City Library

For the bus, Rochdale Road (Stop B) is the closest for the bus routes 52 Orbits, 704 and 708.
The bus stop at Asda is also for the bus routes 52 Orbits and 708.
Moston Lane (Stop A) is also on the bus routes for the 17, 53 Orbits, 708, 17A, 162, 18 and 163 buses.

Don’t miss the Family Fun Day at North City Library on the 18th June.

Manchester South

Didsbury Library

Take the tram headed towards East Didsbury headed from central Manchester and alight at the Didsbury Village stop.
There are bus stops outside of the library or a small walk away on Wilmslow road, to arrive at the library from central Manchester (42, 142), Trafford (50), Stockport (42, 23), Moss Side (781), and Burnage (769).
Parking is limited outside the library, so do plan in advance

Don’t miss fabric painting at this library during the festival.

Longsight Library

The bus stops nearby Longsight Library (Stop A and Stop B) are located a short walk outside of the building, with buses arriving from Manchester City Centre (192), Stockport/ Hazel Grove/ Stepping Hill (192), Albert Square (197) and Trafford (150).

Don’t miss the Family Fun Day taking place here on the 18th June.

Wythenshawe Forum Library

Robinswood Ray and Wythenshawe Town Centre are close tram stops stop which are on the Navy Line.
The Wythenshawe Bus Interchange is also close, which is on the bus route for the 11, 18, 19, 43, 101, 103 and 368 buses.
The bus stops near Asda are on the bus routes for the 11, 43, 101, 368, 774 buses.
The Forum Centre car park is the closest car park and is very accessible, although there is a small 30p parking charge.

There’s an extra special Family Fun Day taking place here on the 18th, plus don’t miss our 10 Years To Save The World Comic Arts Exhibition!

Oldham

Oldham Library

The closest car park is Southgate Street Car Park.
Oldham Central is the closest tram stop, which is on the Pink Line.
The closest bus stop is at The Link Centre, which is on the 57, 59, 81, 82, 83, 125, 350, 784 and S84 bus routes.

Events at Oldham across the Festival of Libraries include: Little Libraries with Malandra Jacks, Writing For Wellbeing Workshop with Creative Manchester, Bedtime Stories for kids and Discover Pandora: An interactive interview with author Susan Stokes Chapman.

Other libraries in the locality:

Crompton Library
Delph Library
Failsworth Library
Fitton Hill Library
Greenfield Library
Lees Library Community Hub
Limehurst Library and Information Centre
Northmoor Library
Royton Library
Uppermill Library

Rochdale

Rochdale Central Library

Rochdale Interchange is situated a short two-minute walk from the library
Alight at the interchange using services from Shudehill (17), Bolton (471), Littleborough (457/458 Lakeline), Kirkholt (6), Ashton-Under-Lyne (409), Accrington (464), Milnrow (R6), Bury (467 Trax), Shaw (R9 Rochdale Runners), Peppermint Bridge (R4 Rochdale Runners).
The Rochdale Town Centre Tram stop is also a 2min walk away and is the terminal stop on the Pink line from East Didsbury.

Events here include Inside The Igloo Performances by Hawk Dance and Writing For Wellbeing Workshops.

Middleton Library

The closest bus stop is at New Lane, which is on the 17, 17A, 17B and 125 bus routes.
There is limited parking near the library.

Events here include the self guided walking tour of Middleton Photo Trail and Reading Rocks! rock painting workshops.

Heywood Library

- There are regular buses which stop right outside the library and arrive from Central Manchester (163), Middleton (125), Bury (B4 Bury Bolts, 163), Bolton (471), Rochdale (R2 Rochdale Runners) and Norden (162)

Little Libraries by Malandra Jacks will be available for the whole festival duration here.

Langley Library

The closest bus stops are Wood Street (buses 781 and 18) and Latrigg Crescent (bus 781).
There is parking outside of the library.

Include Making Kindness Bookmarks and a performance of Peter Pan Junior!

Salford

Eccles Public Library

Bus stops are a short walk away from the library, with services running from the Trafford Centre (20, 21, 22, 52 Orbits), Hollins Green/ Warrington (100 Salford’s Reds), Brookhouse Estate (10), Glaze Estate (67 Salford’s Reds), Westwood Park (65), Worsley (33), Bolton (22), Shudehill (100 Salford’s Reds/ 10/ 33/ 67 Salford’s Reds), Cheetham Hill (52 Orbits), Agecroft (21) and Eccles (65).
Eccles train station is a short walk taking less than 10 minutes.
Eccles tram stop is less than 5 minutes walk away.

The must-see event at Salford in Inspired By Libraries with Mike Sweeney on 17th June at Eccles Library from 7pm. For younger ones there’s Stories on the Green outside Salford Museum and Art Gallery and Have You Seen My Duckling? Storytime in Mother Languages at Pendleton Library, too.

Pendleton Library

The closest car park is Allerton Car Park.
The bus stops near Salford Shopping Centre are on the bus route for the 8, 50, 52, 70, 774, 75 and 79 buses.

Stockport

Stockport Central Library

https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/event/migrant-voices-musical-living-library-at-stockport-central-library/

Stockport Central Library is close to Stockport train station.
Lord Street has close bus stops for buses 11, 323, 360, 364, 368, 375, 358, 375, 383 807.
The Grand Central (Stop WW) is nearby for the bus routes for the 11, 191, 192, 199 skyline, 313, 323, 368, 368, 374, 374S, 375, 378, 378A, 379, 384, 391, 392, 792, 807, 863m 866, 878, 891 and X92 buses.

Don’t miss Migrant Voices with Olympias Music Foundation here on 16th June from 6.30pm. At Bredbury Library and Hazel Grove Library we’ve got Carrot to the Stars workshops exploring comics for little ones as well as an author evening with Crime Writer David Nolan at Bredbury.

Bredbury Library

The Bredbury Library bus stop is close for the 800 and 819 bus routes.
Kings Road bus stop is on the bus routes for the W1, W2 and W3 buses.
Berrycroft Lane bus stop is on route for the 805 and 843 buses.
The Cow & Calf bus stop is nearby for the 382 and 800 buses.
There is limited car parking outside the library.
The closest train station is Romiley

Hazel Grove Library

Beech Park car park is nearby to the library.
The closest train station is Hazel Grove.
Hazelwood Road bus stop is on the route for the 374, 8804, 809, 821, 827, H29 and T3 buses.
Queens Road bus stop is on the route for the 191, 192, 199 skyline, 394, 751, 768, 809, 815, 887, 891, X92 buses.
The Bulls Head bus stop is on the route for the buses 804, 809, 821, 827 and T3.

Tameside

Ashton Library and Information Service

The closest train station is Ashton-under-Lyne
The tram stop for Ashton-under-Lyne is also close for the Blue Line.
The closest car park is Ashton Arcades Parking.
The Ashton-under-Lyne interchange is the closest bus station for various routes.
Henrietta Street bus stop is on the route for the 216, 219, 231, 337, 346, 350, 356, 357, 387, 389, S350 buses.
Penny Meadow/Swan Street bus stop is on the route for the 216, 219, 231, 237, 336, 346, 348, 350, 356, 389, 864, S350 buses.

Events here:

You’ll definitley want to see the one and only Julie Hesmondhalgh at Ashton Library on 15th June, at the earlier time of 4pm.

Trafford

Altrincham Library

The closest trains station is Altrincham.
The Altrincham Interchange is close for the bus routes 5 Cheshire Cat, 5A Cheshire Cat, 11, 11A, 19, 44, 88, 245, 247, 263 Sapphire, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288.
The closest car park is Stamford Quarter Car Park.

We’ve got lego club and an evening hearing all about Lydia Becker: Suffragist, Scientist and Trailblazer on here if you’re Altrincham based.

Sale Library

Sale tram stop is near for the Green and Purple Lines.
Sale Metrolink (Stop G) is close for the 18, 19 and 778 buses.
The Sale Metrolink (Stop H) is close for the 18, 19, 41 CrossCity, 262, 281, 762, 771 bus routes.
The Metrolink Park and Ride is also nearby.

You’ll want to see the Old Green Time Machine by Coalesce Dance Theatre at Sale Library on 18th June at 11am, or catch it later at Urmston Library at 2pm. Also at Urmston we’ve got Inspired by Libraries with Greg Jenner, Little Libraries with Malandra Jacks, an exciting Murder Mystery evening and even a yoga session for when you need a break from the packed festival programme!

Urmston Library

Urmston train station is nearby.
Urmston Library (Stop E) is outside the library and is on the route for the 18, 23, 795 and 799 buses.
Urmston Library (Stop F) is on the bus route for 15, 245, 254.
Urmston Station (Stops A and B) is close by for the 255, 756, 789, 795, 798 buses.
Eden Square Car Park is the closest car park.

Wigan

Wigan Library

Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate are the closest train stations.
The Civic Centre Car Park is the closest car park, but there is limited car parking outside the library.
The Rodney Street bus stop is on the route for the 7, 9, 22A, 132, 360, 630 and 951 routes.

You could swing by Wigan Library for Chatter Cats to get sociable for an hour, or why not try a Writing For Wellbeing Workshop?

Alexandra Park

Whilst not a library, we do have an event here during the festival!

Brentwood Street is on the 733 bus route.
Claremont Road bus stop is on the 85, 85A, 743 routes.
Another Claremont Road bus stop is on the 101, 102, 103, 108, 720, 728 and 739 bus routes.

Join us for Errol’s Garden Storywalk at 11am on 16th June.