Greater Manchester Libraries Consortium – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Greater Manchester Libraries Consortium?

Greater Manchester Libraries Consortium is a partnership of libraries which are working together to improve and widen access to resources for all their customers. There are approximately 3 million library books available in the consortium.

Which libraries are in the consortium?

All 10 Local Authorities in Greater Manchester, plus Blackburn with Darwen

• Bolton
• Bury
• Manchester
• Oldham
• Rochdale
• Salford
• Stockport
• Tameside
• Trafford
• Wigan
• Blackburn with Darwen

What does this mean?

You can now use your library card to borrow from these libraries or to reserve their books.

How do I join?

The first time you visit one of these libraries outside your local area you will need to see a member of staff. You will not need a new library card - you can join with the library card of your home service. There is no age limit to this.

How can I view the holdings of consortium libraries?

Any online search at this library catalogue will show a link above the results to 'Try this search in the Greater Manchester Libraries Catalogue'.

How can I reserve the holdings of partner libraries?

If the item you’ve reserved belongs to another library service you’ll need to go to one of their libraries to collect and return it — you’ll be able to choose the one most convenient for you.

I want to reserve books from two different consortium library services?

You can do this but each one will need to be a separate reservation and you will need to collect each reservation from the appropriate library.

How will I know when my item is ready for collection?

You will receive an email to let you know it is ready.

If I go to a consortium library to borrow an item how long can I keep it for?

The item will be issued for the normal loan period of that library service.

Can I renew items online that have come from a consortium library?

Yes all of your loans from libraries across the consortium can be viewed and renewed online.

Can I return items borrowed from a consortium library to my home library?

No. At the moment all items need to be returned to the library service you collected them from.