Published Monday 8 February 2016 at 11:27
Members of Blackburn with Darwen Library and Information Service are now able to borrow books from other libraries across the region, thanks to a new initiative.
Blackburn with Darwen is working with six Greater Manchester councils’ libraries networks to operate a shared online catalogue system – giving access to 2.8 million books and other items held within the participating library services.
Residents are able to search for books in any of the participating councils’ collections, reserving items using their existing Blackburn with Darwen Library card.
Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport and Trafford councils are all included in the shared Library Management System (LMS) scheme, along with Blackburn with Darwen – with Tameside joining later this year.
The Library Management System makes it easier for customers to find information and books, creating a single library catalogue for all the different areas.
Blackburn with Darwen Libraries cardholders can reserve stock belonging to other participating library services – then collect and return the items, using a convenient branch of the other region’s library network.
Executive Member for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Damian Talbot, said: “The new Library Management System enables our customers to access books held in libraries across Blackburn with Darwen and now Greater Manchester.
The region’s library services have a strong record of collaboration and partnership work to bring benefits to customers and reduce costs.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said, “This initiative is an excellent example of how libraries can work together to provide better and more efficient services for their users. Greater Manchester libraries should be congratulated on this new development and I’m pleased that the Arts Council has been able to help fund it.”