Urgent Christmas Book Appeal Launched!
Manchester Central Library Development Trust has launched a new appeal, raising funds to support Read Manchester and Manchester Libraries book gifting campaign in the run up to Christmas. To find out more information and to make a donation head to our Just Giving Page.
Getting Children Reading in Manchester
2022 has been a bumper year for reading, supported by Manchester Libraries and Read Manchester. We’ve given 80,000 new books to children and families, worked with 138 local schools to ensure that 75% of children in Manchester get involved with libraries and joined over 23,000 children to the Summer Reading Challenge. Read more on the library blog.
Visit the new Gorton Hub
The amazing new Gorton Hub opened its doors in November. At the heart of Gorton’s district centre, the Hub is a brand new learning, health and community space. The fabulous new library includes a space themed childrens’ library, inspiring Gorton’s young people to aim for the stars. Read more on the library blog
Vintage start up panel event
Vintage and retro is more popular than ever before. Hear from business experts, including Wayne Hemingway MBE. Find out about selling on Ebay, Depop and TikTok with Becky’s Bazaar, Garbo Antiques and Vinyl Resting Place. Sign up for free tickets at Eventbrite.
Christmas Family Extravaganza
Manchester Central Library’s annual Christmas celebration returns on Saturday 10 December, bigger and better than ever. Enjoy caroling, choirs, festive films, crafts for children and winter warmers in the cafe. Find out more at Library Live.
Retro Silent Disco at Central Library
Join DJ John Ryan on Friday 2 December in Central Library, for a night of 70’s, 80’s and 90’s pop classics, with a sprinkling of festive hits throughout. The bar will be open all night with Christmas jumpers and party gear highly recommended! Visit Eventbrite to book your tickets
Sunday Funday Winter Warmer
Come in from the cold and into Central Library to enjoy our Winter Warmer. A special Sunday afternoon opening on 4 December for the family to have some fun and keep toasty. We’ll have crafts, entertainment and plenty of treats. Find out more on our Facebook page.
Classic Christmas Film Marathon
Have we got the ultimate selection box for you! Escape from the shops and relax with our Classic Christmas films marathon on Thursday 22 December at Central Library! Vote for your favourite film and book tickets on Library Live.
Crime Central Christmas Special
Join a bumper pack of crime writers on Wednesday 14 December at Central Library for a Christmas Special! With host Rob Parker will be his pals from the Northern Crime Syndicate. Prepare for a night of fun and frolics, including a game of ‘Who’s Crime is it Anyway’. Book now!
Powerhouse Winter Fair and Lights Switch On
Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse welcomes the cold season with a Winter Fair and Lights Switch On! Join us on Saturday 3 December, 1pm to 5pm for free hot food, family activities, arts and crafts, and a free raffle with great prizes. Watch the video to find out more!
Audio Book of the Month
Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay is our audiobook of the month.
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… but 1.4 million NHS staff are heading off to work. Bestselling author Adam Kay, delves back into his diaries for a hilarious and sometimes heart-breaking peek behind the blue curtain at Christmastime. We have unlimited copies to download from Borrowbox.
Manchester Celebrates International Day of Disabled People
On Wednesday 2 December come to Central Library and celebrate International Day of Disabled People with Manchester City Council, and the young creatives from Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People. Activities include panel discussion, an activism wall workshop, performances from disabled artists, and more. Find out more at the Facebook event page.
Free sims: an update
We’ve been supporting people who live in Manchester with internet access during this cost-of-living crisis. So far, we’ve helped over 50 people get online in just one month! If you are interested in a free sim that provides you with up to 6 months of internet access, drop by your local library or call the cost-of-living helpline on 0800 023 2692 or text 07860 022876. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 4.30pm. Find out more on the Let’s Get Digital blog.
Donate old devices at your local library
MCC’s Digital Inclusion team have partnered with Community Computers to deliver a device donation and refurbishment programme. Take devices that you no longer need to your local library. Anything that cannot be used, can be recycled! (NB we cannot accept printers or monitors). Laptops, desktops, smartphones and tablets are refurbished back to perfect working order, and then provided to low-income residents at a fraction of their initial cost. Read more at Let’s Get Digital and shop for a device at Community Computers.
BBC100 in Greater Manchester
This year the BBC celebrates its centenary. Archives+ has partnered with the BBC Archives and Greater Manchester’s ten archives services to find interesting local items from the BBC’s radio and TV archives. Explore all the content in Manchester Central Library until December 31. Find out more about the BBC100 exhibition at LibraryLive.
Library volunteers wanted
The Manchester Volunteer Inspire Programme (MCRVIP) connects people interested in volunteering to lots of opportunities, whatever your skills, experience or interests. Current library opportunities include volunteering at the Powerhouse Library in Moss Side or supporting The Bread & Butter Things affordable food pantries at Beswick Library or at the new Gorton Hub. Find out more on the MCRVIP website at mcrvip.com.
Learn Audacity – free workshop – Monday 5 December 10am to 12.30pm
Audacity is one of the most popular editing programs in the world. free and open-source, millions of podcasters across the globe use it. Join a free online webinar and learn the basics of Audacity with the Greater Manchester Business and IP Centre. Sign up for the Audacity session at Eventbrite.
Get started with TikTok – free workshop – Wednesday 7 December 10am to 12noon
In this free online workshop session from DigiEnable and the Greater Manchester Business and IP Centre, we will give you everything you need to make full use of your smartphone, launch a TikTok channel and create your first video. If you think TikTok is all dance trends and young people, you couldn’t be more wrong! Sign up for the TikTok workshop at Eventbite.
Manchester’s Lost District – Central Library -18 January at 1pm
The Manchester Arndale stands on the site of one of the oldest parts of the city. Enjoy a talk organised by Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society with author Keith Warrender. Travel back in time to find the history of a forgotten Manchester District. Book tickets for the lost districts talk at Eventbrite.
Calling all vinyl lovers…
The Vinyl Listening Group is a regular gathering of like-minded people who meet monthly in the Henry Watson Music Library in Central Library to listen, appreciate, discuss and dissect an albums. A masterpiece or an obscure gem, all genres will be covered. The next listening session is Wednesday 28 December at 5.30pm and you can check out our Facebook event page for more details.
New chess and boardgames club
Do you want to learn to play chess? How about trying out some new boardgames? Enjoy a fun evening and test ourt our new collection of chess and boardgames every Tuesday evening 5pm to 7pm at Central Library. This is a free drop-in session suitable for adults with no need to book. Read more about our chess club on our Facebook page.
Christmas gifts from Manchester Libraries
With all sorts of library and Manchester themed collections, you’re sure to find the perfect gift in the Manchester Central Library shop. Discover a stunning range of art, stationery, bags, books, cards and bee-adorned gifts lovingly designed with Manchester in mind. Browse our online shop or pop into Central Library to see our full range.
Free IT Drop Ins
Join our drop-ins and get support learning to use a computer and the internet, email, typing and more. If you need help to use your own phone, tablet or laptop, bring it along and we’ll help you learn how. Find us on the third floor of Central Library, every Tuesday 10am to 12.30pm and every Wednesday 1pm to 3pm. More details about our IT drop-in sessions are on our Facebook page.
Ebook of the month
Our ebook of the month is ‘The Kind Worth Killing’, a sublimely plotted novel of trust and betrayal by Peter Swanson. This Sunday Times top ten bestseller will keep you gripped and guessing late into the night. You can download this ebook for free with a library card at Borrowbox.