Libraries will be full of bunting, celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June, with many activities taking place during bank holiday weekend, including a Sunday Funday at Central Library on 5th June.
We have already begun celebrating the Queen’s 70 years on the throne with an exhibition of her life on display until the end of June at Central Library.

Pictured here, is a fascinating timeline of her life in a photographic exhibition. The photographic exhibition is accompanied by a video, produced by Manchester Metropolitan University’s North West Sound Archives, which shows some of her visits to Greater Manchester.
The exhibition is on display behind the café on the ground floor of Central Library. You can find out more information here.
On the run up to Bank holiday weekend, and over the weekend itself, 18 of our libraries will be holding an event to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The events detailed here, and are all free to attend and no booking is necessary.

Central Library | Jubilee Sunday Funday. Enjoy a free, fun packed afternoon with lots to do for all the family as we come together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Jubilee themed art and craft family workshops with artists Caroline Coates and Simone Frater-Russell throughout the afternoon. Family film screening starting at 1pm, plus popcorn! Free face painting for all with talented artist Vix. All activities are free, drop-in, no need to book. | Sunday 5th June, 12-4pm |
Gorton Library | Pop into the library for a little Jubilee refreshment (10am – 4pm) & Jubilee Crafts (2.30 – 3.30) | Saturday 4 June, 10am – 4pm |
Gorton Library | Queen in your Life” childrens craft. | Tuesday 31 May, 2.30 – 3.30pm |
Hulme High St Library | Pop into the library for a little Jubilee refreshment and help yourself “The Queen in Your Life” activity. | Saturday 4 June, 10am – 4pm |
Hulme High St Library | Create a mixed media portrait of the Queen in your Life with artist Tina Ramos Ekongo. For children and young people 7+ yrs. Places are limited book via Hulme High street Library. | Wednesday 1 June, 2-4pm |
Longsight Library | Pop into the library for a little Jubilee refreshment (10am – 4pm) & Jubilee Crafts (11.30 – 12.30 & 2.30 – 3.30) | Saturday 4 June, 10 – 4 |
Longsight Library | Queen in your Life” childrens craft. | |
Moss Side Powerhouse Library | Pop into the library for a little Jubilee refreshment & crafts. family event. | Sat 4 June, 1 – 4pm |
Moss Side Powerhouse Library | Queen in your Life” childrens craft. | Wednesday 1 June, 3.30 – 4.30pm |
Brooklands Library | Children’s craft & Afternoon Tea. | Sat 4 June 2pm-4pm |
Northenden Library | Children’s craft & Afternoon Tea. | Weds 1st June 2-4.30 |
Withington Library | Children’s craft & Coffee morning | Sat 4th June 10am-12noon |
Didsbury Library | Children’s craft & Afternoon Tea. | Sat 4th June 2pm-4pm |
Chorlton library | Children’s craft & Afternoon Tea. | Sat 4 June 2pm-4pm |
Forum Library | Children’s craft & Afternoon Tea. | Sat 4 June 2pm-4pm |
Forum Library | Jubilation! Join artist Thomas Daniel Byrne at his ‘Jubilation Station’ where library users can sit and talk/write/share their stories throughout the day. | Tues 7 June 10-4pm |
Avenue Library | Jubilee Half Term Crafts for children & families | Mon 30 May 2-3pm |
Newton Heath Library | Jubilee Half Term Crafts for children & families | Mon 30 May 2-3pm |
North City Library | Jubilee Half Term Crafts for children and families | Tues 31 May 2-3 |
Miles Platting Library | Jubilee Half Term Crafts for children and families | Tues 31 May 2-3 |
Abraham Moss Library | Jubilee Half Term crafts for children & families | Wed 1 June 2-3pm |
Beswick Library | Jubilee Half Term crafts for children & families | Wed 1 June 2-3pm |
New Moston Library | Jubilee Half Term crafts for children & families | Wed 1 June 2-3pm |
Miles Platting Library | Age Friendly Jubilee Afternoon Tea for over 50s | Mon 30 May 2-3pm |
Beswick Library | Age Friendly Jubilee Afternoon Tea for over 50s | Mon 30 May 2-3pm |
Newton Heath Library | Age Friendly Jubilee Afternoon Tea for over 50s | Mon 30 May 2-3pm |
New Moston Library | Age Friendly Jubilee Coffee Morning for over 50s | Wed 1 June 11am-12pm |

Don’t miss The Big Jubilee Read! BBC Arts and The Reading Agency have announced the titles for the Big Jubilee Read, a reading for pleasure campaign celebrating great reads from celebrated authors from across the Commonwealth to coincide with Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The full list can be found here. All titles are available to borrow from Manchester Libraries.
And of course we’ll be suggesting books for you to read. Here is a taster of a few books we stock about the Queen and the history of the Monarchy. All available for you to to reserve and collect from your local library for FREE.
