What's on

You can find more information about some of our events on the Rhymetime and Storytime, Readers' groups and Trafford Library Eventbrite pages has listings for events where you need to book a place.

You can also visit our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Upcoming events

Partington Leap Into Play initiative

We're very pleased to announce that Partington Library is part of the new Leap into Play initiative - which aims to provide a fantastic list of family-based activities and events for local Partington residents.

We are working alongside the Early Help Hub and The Hideaway, with a special treasure hunt running throughout March. If you manage to visit all three of the sites and then hand in your complete hunt card to The Hideaway; you can collect a goodie bag and enter a prize draw to win a free trip to the Sea Life Centre in Manchester.

Further information and resources are available to collect at Partington Library, the Early Help Hub and The Hideaway.

Nursery Rhyme Sessions with Trafford Music Service

Join @MusicInTrafford for an interactive Nursery Rhyme session at your local library! Come along and sing, dance, play instruments, read stories and have fun!

Leather purses workshop

Join us for taster in leather purse workshop. Suitable for beginners and those wanting to improve. Vegan alternatives will be available in the session. Tickets are £3, contact the organiser if this amount is not currently affordable.

  • Urmston Library, Thursday 21 March, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Book your tickets on Eventbrite.

Family History help day

Come along to this event and learn how to research:

  • Census, birth, marriage and death records
  • Explore the genealogy websites Ancestry and Find My Past 
  • Use The British Newspaper Archive
  • View historical maps
  • Collect free research guides and resources
  • Loan library stock and buy local history books

The event is organised and led by the Trafford Local Studies team, based in Sale.

  • Stretford Library, Friday 22 March, 10am to 4pm

The Jungle Dreamer

Get ready to dive into a wild and magical world of "The Jungle Dreamer" as he meets animals and sings songs in this interactive adventure. Join us in a fun-filled day of adventure and imagination with author Sean Harland at Urmston Library. Discover animals of the jungle through storytelling, music and colouring-in crafts. Sean will also be selling his book at the event after the performance. The event is accessible to all customers and only children require a ticket.

  • Urmston Library, Wednesday 3 April, 11 am – 12 pm Tickets are free on Eventbrite  

Silk painting workshop

Artist Caroline Coates will guide you through creating your own small silk painting. Hazel ping with designs and technique. All materials are included.

  • Altrincham Library, Thursday 18 April, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Tickets are £3. Book on Eventbrite.

Paper crafting workshop – paper roses

Join artist Caroline Coates as she shows you how to create paper craft paper roses to make beautiful bouquets of forever flowers. You will be taught the techniques step by step and can choose from a range of papers, all of which will be provided.

  • Timperley Library, Thursday 23 May, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Tickets are £3. Book on Eventbrite.

Mosaic making workshop

Make your own mosaic coaster with talented artist Caroline Coates. You will be taught the techniques step by step and all resources will be provided.

  • Stretford Library, Thursday 20 June, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Tickets are £3. Book on Eventbrite.

Introduction to jesmonite workshop

Make your own mosaic coaster with talented artist Caroline Coates. You will be taught the techniques step by step and all resources will be provided.

This is an introduction to crafting using the amazing eco-resin jesmonite. Artist Caroline Coates will show you how to use this colourful, lightweight material to create a mini pot and a coaster. Learn different effects and create your own unique pieces. Jesmonite sets very quickly, so your pieces will be ready the same day to take home with you!

  • Urmston Library, Thursday 18 July, 10:30am to 12:30pm. Tickets are £3. Book on Eventbrite.

Regular events

Art club

Come meet other art lovers in our informal group run by staff. We show you different projects and techniques and you can use the space to get creative and meet others. Some materials are provided, but you can bring your own.

  • Urmston Library – Tuesday afternoons 1pm to 2pm

Arts craft group

The wellbeing craft group takes place every Wednesday afternoon between 1pm and 3pm.

We vary the crafts as much as possible to offer something for everyone, such as sewing crafts. No prior knowledge is needed. The sessions are free but we do charge for tea and coffee.

If you would like to join the group, email admin@coppicelibraryandwellbeing.org.uk

  • Coppice Library & Wellbeing Centre, Wednesday afternoons 1pm to 3pm

Beaders group

  • Woodsend Library, Tuesday mornings 10am to 12 noon, with Patricia Wilson

Chatterbooks groups

For children aged 7 to 11 years old who love stories and illustrating or want to get more enjoyment from them. Book a place by emailing libraries@trafford.gov.uk

  • Stretford Library, First Saturday of the month 1:30pm to 2:30pm
  • Urmston Library, First Tuesday of the month 4pm to 5pm
  • Altrincham Library, Mondays 4pm to 4:45pm every four weeks.
  • Timperley Library, Fridays 4pm to 4:45pm every four weeks.
  • Sale Library, Tuesdays 4pm to 4:45pm every four weeks.

This group is currently full but if you would like to be added to the waiting listemail sale.library@trafford.gov.uk.

Children's hour

Come join us every week for an hour session suitable for children aged 0 to 5 for stories, rhymes and other activities.

No booking required, just turn up early as spaces are limited.

  • Old Trafford Library, every Tuesday 10:30am to 11:30am
  • Partington Library, every Friday 2:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Woodsend Library, every Tuesday 11:15am to 12:15pm

Citizen’s advice drop-in

  • Urmston Library, every Friday 10am to 4pm

Community navigator drop-in sessions are also available in the main library.

  • Sale Library, every Wednesday 10am to 4pm

Coffee mornings

Come into our libraries for a hot drink and chat at our regular coffee mornings. The sessions are free but there may be a small charge for refreshment top ups.

  • Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre, Thursday morning 10:30am to 12 noon
  • Urmston Library, every Friday 10:30am to 12 noon.

Creative writing groups

Scribblers writers’ group

Want to write but can’t get started? Made a start but don’t know how to carry on? Finished, but not sure what to do next? Then come along to Scribblers Writers’ Group.

If you would like to be involved or to receive further information about the workshops, email libraries@trafford.gov.uk or come into a library and speak to a member of staff.

  • Urmston Library, third Saturday of the month 1pm to 1:30pm. Everyone welcome

Altrincham writers' group

Need a space to work on your creative writing and want to meet other local writers then drop-in sessions are a place to share your writing with others or write independently, with optional prompts for inspiration.

Email libraries@trafford.gov.uk to get involved. For adults, 18+

  • Altrincham Library, Wednesday 13 March, 10 April, 8 May, 5 June  6:00pm - 8:00pm

Family history

Family history help sessions

Learn how to research your family tree using genealogy websites: Ancestry, Find My Past and more at the Local Studies centre.

Book your one hour, one to one session by emailing: trafflocals@trafford.gov.uk or ringing 0161 912 3013.

  • Trafford Local Studies – First Monday of every month 10am to 4pm

Caribbean family history help sessions

Learn how to research Caribbean family trees using genealogy websites: Ancestry, Find My Past and more at the Local Studies centre.

Book your fifty minute, one to one session with expert genealogist Linford Sweeney by emailing: trafflocals@trafford.gov.uk or ringing 0161 912 3013.

  • Trafford Local Studies – Second Monday of every month 1pm to 4pm

Jewellery group

Get bedazzled and bejewelled at our regular jewellery making group, that is now community led. Some materials will be available but feel free to bring your own.

  • Urmston Library, Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm
  • Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre, Thursday afternoons 2pm to 3.30pm

Knitting, crochet and quilting groups

Several libraries run knitting, crochet or quilting groups, they are free to attend and popular. They discuss a wide variety of things including sewing, crochet, knitting and cross stitch. The groups are suitable for beginners, right through to experts.

Knitting and Crochet groups

  • Altrincham Library, Wednesdays, 10:30am to 12:30pm

Knitting groups

  • Coppice Avenue Library, Thursday 2pm to 3:30pm
  • Old Trafford Library, Fridays at 10am to 12 noon
  • Partington Library, Mondays at 10pm
  • Sale Library, Saturdays at 10:30am
  • Stretford Library, Saturdays at 10:15am
  • Urmston Library, Mondays at 1:30pm
  • Woodsend Library, Fridays, 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Crochet group

  • Urmston Library, Wednesdays at 1pm

Davyhulme quilters group

  • Urmston Library, second and forth Thursdays at 1:30pm

LEGO® Brick Building Clubs Saturday meet ups

Saturdays at Trafford Libraries get creative, learn new skills and have fun at our monthly LEGO® Brick–Building Clubs. There will be Duplo® available for our younger builders to join in the building fun too. Everyone is welcome.

There is no need to book, you can just turn up but spaces are limited.

  • Altrincham Library, 11am to 12 noon, every Saturday
  • Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre, 10am to 11:30am, every Saturday
  • Old Trafford Library, 11am to 1:30pm, first and second Saturday of the month
  • Partington Library, 11am to 1:30pm, third and fourth Saturday of the month
  • Sale Library, 11am to 12 noon, every Saturday
  • Stretford Library, 1pm to 3pm, third and fourth Saturday of the month
  • Timperley Library, 11am to 12 noon, every Saturday
  • Urmston Library, 11am to 1:30pm, first and second Saturday of the month

Little reads with Manchester Literature Festival is back

Join Miriam once a month at Stretford Library for a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs, play and craft to explore children’s picture books.

The sessions are most suitable for children aged 2 to 6 but all the family is welcome. Don’t forget your favourite cuddly toy. No need to book, just turn up.

There is more information on the Little Reads website.

  • Stretford Library, second Thursday of the month 11am

Local history groups

  • Woodsend Library, first Tuesday of the month 10am to 12 noon.

Makaton awareness group

Join a friendly group drop in where you can learn about Makaton and some of the basics including alphabet, greetings, travel etc.

Today over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech.

In addition to children and adults with communication and learning difficulties and the community around them – for example, teachers, health professionals, friends, public service bodies etc. Makaton is increasingly used by the general public to aid communication.

  • Urmston Library, every Wednesday 11am to 12 noon.

Mums support group at Old Trafford library

Join mums and mums to be at the ‘Manchester Bambi Club’ support group. We are a weekly support group run for mums by mums.

We provide a welcoming, safe space to meet, to share our experiences and support one another on our motherhood journey. Why not come along and grab a brew from the café, have a chat and make new friends!

Children under 4 are welcome but must be supervised at all times. Any questions contact us directly at manchesterbambiclub@gmail.com

  • Old Trafford Library, Thursday 10:30am to 11:30am

Readers' groups

There are monthly readers' groups at your local library, see our Readers' groups page for details.

Rhymetime and storytime

See our Rhymetime and Storytime page for details.

Scrabble club

  • Urmston Library, every Monday 2pm to 4pm

Join in for some fantastic word crafting fun and get to know other Scrabble fans while you do! All skill levels welcome, no booking required.

Sensory play

Come and join us at Urmston Library for our fun and interactive sensory play session for babies and toddlers. Sensory play has been proven to support a child's development, motor skills and learn mindfulness from a young age.

We will have lots of exciting objects and materials for your child to play, learn and interact with. These are drop-in sessions so there's no need to book.

  • Urmston Library, every Monday 11am to 12 noon.

Tea and tech

Come along to one of the tea and tech sessions for help and advice about anything technology related or just to chat about the subject.

We meet face to face in the libraries just ask a member of staff on the day and they will point you in the right direction.

  • Altrincham Library, Second and fourth Mondays of the month at 2pm
  • Old Trafford Library, Second Monday of the month 4:30pm to 6pm
  • Partington Library, First Monday of the month 10am to 12 noon.
  • Online using Jitsi, First and third Mondays of the month at 10:30am on Altrincham Library Tech And Talk | Jitsi Meet

There is also an online meeting twice a month at 10:30am onJitsi, a free web based video chat service that doesn’t require you to download anything to use on your device.

Yoga - chair

Join us for 30 minutes of gentle stretches and breathing exercises. Suitable for all levels and abilities and no previous experience of yoga is needed.

No booking, just turn up on the day (but spaces are limited).

  • Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre, Monday afternoons 12 noon to 1 pm, (need to book by ringing 0161 912 3560)
  • Urmston Library, Monday afternoons at 1:30pm and Fridays at 11am, £2 (card payment preferable)
  • Altrincham Library, Tuesdays at 11:30am and Fridays at 10:30am, £2 (card payment preferable)
  • Online on Zoom, Fridays at 11am, free class (email libraryevents@trafford.gov.uk for Zoom link)

Yoga - gentle mat

This Hatha Flow Yoga class is ideal for beginners or those who want to practise yoga mindfully and slowly.

Incorporating traditional yoga poses alongside functional movements; the class provides the opportunity to safely stretch, strengthen and mobilise the whole body, whilst allowing the breath to slowly relax muscles.

Bring your own mat. No booking just turn up on the day (but spaces are limited).

  • Urmston Library, every Wednesday at 10:30am, £2 (card payment preferable)

Online activities

Trafford Libraries' social media

Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds to keep up with all the activities going on at Trafford Libraries.

Books and reading – useful websites

Fun ideas for keeping your kids occupied