Co-operative societies
A co-operative society is usually made up of a group of individuals who voluntarily pool their resources to achieve a common goal, such as a business. It is democratic organisation where the workers are also the owners.
Sources can be viewed in the search room on the ground floor of Central Library, please make an appointment (with at least one day notice). We hold:
- Co-operative collection - books and pamphlets on general and economic affairs, particularly the growth of the co-operative movement. The collection was donated to the library in the 1930s by the Co-operative Union and the Co-operative Wholesale Society.
- Manchester and Salford Equitable Co-operative Society, 1859 to 1982 (ref GB127.M473)
The National Co-operative Archive also hold records relating to the history of the worldwide co-operative movement including rare books, periodicals, manuscripts, films, photographs and oral histories, from the initial ideas of the 18th century to the present day.