Festival of Libraries Returns for 2025

GREATER Manchester Festival of Libraries is returning for 2025 and as always Tameside Council will be playing its part to the full.

This vibrant celebration of libraries and their vital role in communities across the city region takes place from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 June. Tameside has three great events lined up including the highly popular Look for a Book activity during the summer half-term break (23 May to 1 June).

Members of the public will be invited to look for copies of BBC “Sky at Night” presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s book “Am I Made of Stardust?” which will be hidden in libraries and green spaces. Lucky finders will not only get to keep their copy but may get the chance to meet Dr Maggie.

Written in her fun, accessible style, “Am I Made of Stardust?” is packed full of fabulous facts and deals with a host of questions including do rainbows exist on other planets and what does food taste like on the International Space Station?

Tameside’s programme of free events starts with two organised in partnership with the University of Salford.

The first, at Stalybridge Library on Wednesday 4 June (7.30pm), is a workshop looking at Manchester comedy queens such as Caroline Aherne. The following day at Ashton Library (5.30pm) hosts a podcasts workshop.

On 7 June it’s over to Droylsden Library (10.30am) for the game jam challenge in which participants work in with designers to create new games from existing board games.

Now in its fifth year and winner of best event at the Manchester Culture Awards 2024, the Festival of Libraries is the largest of its kind in the country, uniting all 133 libraries across Greater Manchester.

Organised by Manchester UNESCO City of Literature and supported by Arts Council England, it continues to grow and inspire audiences of all ages. Last year more than 44,000 people visited 115 events.

Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s executive member for culture and lifelong learning, said: “I’m pleased and proud we are once again taking part in Greater Manchester’s fabulous Festival of Libraries.

“It’s a wonderful event that quite rightly celebrates our thriving libraries network which offers residents so many engaging opportunities to discover, learn, and connect.

“I have a huge belief in the power of reading and writing to educate and enlighten people of all ages and any event that highlights and recognises that fact will always have my full support.”

For more information visit www.manchestercityofliterature.com