What's on

Upcoming events

You can find more information about some of our events on the Rhymetime and Storytime, Readers' groups and Trafford Library Eventbrite pages. 

Festival of Libraries, 22 May - 11 June

RoundView table top games

Visit Urmston Library in May and June and play the The RoundView games! The games are sustainable, visually appealing, fun, tactile and bring together striking pictures, poetry and word puzzles.The games highlight environmental issues facing today’s society and help us ask questions about the likely impacts of our actions, and to think of creative solutions.

Groups of any age can put the pictures together and then discuss the ideas revealed by the completed games. On selected days during Festival of Libraries (7-11 June), there will be someone on hand to share more information and answer your questions.

  • Urmston Library, Monday 29 May - Friday 30 June. Drop-in and play for free during library opening hours. Booking not needed.

Half Term Craft Sessions

Come and join us at Trafford Libraries for some half-term crafting fun! We’ll be running sessions across the second week of the half-term holidays at various sites. Sessions are drop-in but will be first come first served with limited supplies.

  • Old Trafford Library, Wednesday 31 May 1pm – 2.30pm
  • Partington Library, Thursday 1 June 1pm – 2.30pm
  • Stretford Library, Friday 2 June 1pm – 2.30pm
  • Urmston Library,Tuesday 30 May 1pm – 2.30pm 
  • Woodsend Library, Thursday 1 June 2.30pm – 4pm 

Introduction to lino printing

Join us for this beginner's workshop with artist, Caroline Coates, which will take you, step-by-step, through the process of printing on to lino to create your own unique piece of printed artwork. All materials are provided and no previous experience is needed. Pay what you feel by choosing either a £3 or £5 ticket. Both tickets provide access to the same workshop, materials and support from Caroline. A #FestivalofLibraries event.

  • Urmston Library – Thursday 8 June, 11am – 1pm. Book your place via Eventbrite.

Manchester: Tales of Rock and Roll Excess

Come and drink in a cocktail of excess and revelry drunk by those overdosing on their own egos and out to lunch in their own lifetimes in this rabble-rousing talk. Author, historian and Manchester tour guide, Ed Glinert, presents this irreverent look at the less-than-salubrious side of the Manchester music business with a cast list that includes Mark E. Smith, Bernard Sumner, the Happy Mondays, those lovely Gallagher boys and the Unmentionable One.

A #FestivalofLibraries event.

  • Altrincham Library – Thursday 8 June, 7:00pm. Book your free place via Eventbrite.

Alfie’s First Fight

Inspired by writer, Oliver Sykes’, own experiences growing up without a mum and being coached as an amateur boxer by his dad, Alfie’s First Fight centres around shy twelve-year-old Alfie, as he decides to go in search of his missing older brother, Jacob, when he disappears moments before an all-important boxing match...

On the surface, it's a simple adventure story. But it's also about love, loss, family and learning how to fight for what you want. If you liked Roald Dahl's Danny Champion of the World, the books of Jacqueline Wilson and the Rocky Movies, then you'll love this funny and heart-warming family show.

 55 minutes, no interval. Age recommendation: 5+

  • Urmston Library - Saturday 10 June, 11am June. Book you free place via Eventbrite
  • Sale Library - Saturday 10 June, 2pm. Book you free place via Eventbrite.

 #Festivalof Libraries

Manga workshop

Create your own four panel Manga comic in this creative workshop guided by Manga artists Chie Kutsuwada and Inko AI Takita. 

  • Stretford Library - Saturday 10 June, 12-2pm. Suitable for ages 12-18. Book your free place via Eventbrite.

Manchester Journalist, Andy Spinoza 

 Join us for an evening discussing Andy's fascinating life: an early member of the Haçienda, Andy reported on the city’s music scene for the NME and The Face. He founded alternative magazine, City Life, in 1983 and spent ten years as a gossip columnist for the Manchester Evening News.

 A #FestivalofLibraries event in partnership with Manchester University Press.

  •  Altrincham Library - Saturday 10 June, 6pm. Book your place via Eventbrite

Story Stem

Join us for these fun, interactive storytelling sessions which take little ones and their grown-ups on an imaginative journey, helping them to learn about our natural world and inspiring children and families to ask questions about the world around them. Suitable for under 5s and their grown-ups. (both sessions are the same). 

  • Urmston Library - Sunday 11 June, 11-12am and 1-2pm Book your free place via 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 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Arts Craft Group Scilight

The wellbeing craft group takes place every Wednesday afternoon, between 1 and 3 pm. We vary the crafts as much as possible to offer something for everyone, such as sewing crafts. No prior knowledge is needed and the sessions are free, though 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 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Beaders group

  • Woodsend Library, Tuesday mornings 10:00am - 12:00pm, with Patricia Wilson

Chatterbooks groups

For children aged 7 – 11 years old who love stories and illustrating or want to get more enjoyment from them!

To book a place email libraries@trafford.gov.uk

  • Stretford Library, 1st Saturday of the month 1:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Urmston Library, 1st Tuesday of the month 4:00pm - 5:00pm
  • Altrincham Library, Mondays 4.00pm - 4.45pm every four weeks: (15 May, 5 June, 3 July)
  • Timperley Library, Fridays 4.00pm - 4.45pm every four weeks: (19 May, 16 June,14 July)
  • Sale Library, Tuesdays 4.00 - 4.45pm every four weeks. This group is currently full but email sale.library@trafford.gov.uk if you would like to be added to the waiting list.

Children's Hour

Children’s Hour every Tuesday 11am at Old Trafford Library. Come join us every week for an hour session suitable for children aged 0 – 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 - 11:30am

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.

  • Urmston Library, every Friday 10:30am - 12:00pm
  • Lostock Library, second Friday of the month 10:30am - 12:00pm

Creative writing groups

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.

  • Urmston Library, third Saturday of the month 1:00pm - 1:30pm. Everyone welcome!

We will explore different forms of writing at each session and there will be the opportunity – but no pressure – to share anything you have written.

  • Altrincham Library – Author Visit – Wednesday 28 June 2023, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

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.

Jewellery group

Get bedazzled and bejewelled at our regular jewellery making group, running from 2pm – 4pm every Wednesday at Urmston Library. The group is now community led; some materials will be available but please feel free to bring your own.

  • Urmston Library – Wednesday afternoons 2:00pm – 4:00pm

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 groups
  • Altrincham Library, Wednesdays, 10:30am - 12:30pm
  • Coppice Avenue Library, Thursday 2:00pm - 3:30pm
  • Old Trafford Library, Fridays at 10:00am
  • Partington Library, Mondays at 1:00pm
  • Sale Library, Saturdays at 10:30am
  • Stretford Library, Saturdays at 10:15am
  • Urmston Library, Mondays at 1:30pm
  • Woodsend Library, Fridays, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Crochet group
  • Urmston Library, Wednesdays at 1:00pm
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 welcome.

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

  • Altrincham Library, 11:00am - 12pm, third Saturday of the month
  • Old Trafford Library, 11:00am - 1:30pm, second Saturday of the month
  • Partington Library, 11:00am - 1:30pm, fourth Saturday of the month
  • Sale Library, 11:00am - 12:00 pm, first Saturday of the month
  • Stretford Library, 1:00pm – 3:00pm, third Saturday of the month
  • Timperley Library, 11:00am – 12:00pm every Saturday
  • Urmston Library, 11:00am - 1:30pm, first Saturday of the month

Little Reads with Manchester Literature Festival is back.

Join Miriam once a month at Old Trafford and Stretford Libraries 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.

  • TBC

Local history groups

  • Woodsend Library, first Tuesday of the month 10:00am - 12:00pm

Makaton coffee morning

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 11:00am - 12:00pm

Readers' groups

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

Rhymetime and Storytime

These are being reintroduced – see our Rhymetime and Storytime page for details.

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 11:00am - 12:00pm

Tea and Tech

Need help with technology? Visit us for a chat and advice plus a cup of tea.

  • Partington Library, 1st Monday of the month 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • Old Trafford Library, 2nd Monday of the month 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Tech and Talk

Come along to one of Altrincham Library’s Tech and Talk sessions for help and advice about anything technology-related or just to chat about the subject. We meet face-to-face in the library twice a month at 2:00pm, usually in Meeting Room 3.

  • Altrincham Library, 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 2:00pm

We also meet online twice a month at 10:30am on Jitsi, 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 needed. No booking just turn up on the day (but spaces are limited).

  • Urmston Library, Mondays at 1:30pm and Fridays at 11am, £2 (card payment preferable)
  • Altrincham Library, Tuesdays at 11:30am £2 (card payment preferable)
  • Online via Zoom, Fridays at 11:00am 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