Music Library Gigs & Workshop Highlights
The Henry Watson Music Library at Central Library has hosted a feast of activities in recent weeks. From amazing multi-lingual DJ Workshops thanks to the 嘢嘢YardYard collective, to author in-conversation…
Category Art and culture
Central Library celebrates arrival of Planetarium Go! to St Peter’s Sq.
Calling all future star explorers to St Peter’s Square this Spring! As the city keenly awaits the arrival of Planetarium Go! in Manchester this May, it has been confirmed that…
Libraries Update – March 2026
See Myself in Books Festival Over three thousand children from forty-two primary and high schools have participated in this year’s See Myself in Books Festival. Organised by Read Manchester, the…
Lord Mayor debuts ‘Rattlebag of Poems’ at Central Library
The Lord Mayor of Manchester has released a new collection of poetry celebrating the city’s culture, creativity and industrial roots. In a special debut at Manchester Central Library, Councillor Carmine…
Heartstone Story Circles and See Myself in Books
Every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read. This is the foundation of Read Manchester’s See Myself in Books campaign which aims to introduce children to a range of diverse…
Culture and Creativity at Manchester Libraries 2025-26
On 4th March 2026, Councillor John Hacking Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure and Neil MacInnes Head of Libraries, Galleries and Culture, took a report on Manchester Libraries to…
Manchester Central Library Story Times
Get your little ones involved with The National Year of Reading by coming along to one of our free story times. Manchester Central Library offers a welcoming space for families…
Full Volume Podcast is back for 2026!
Back with a bang in 2026, Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns with a feast of audio treats. With a new look, lineup, features, and more – presenter Alan…
Lou Kushnick Memorial Lecture at Central Library
Our Archives+ Partners the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust and RACE Centre are launching the annual lecture in honour of their founder Professor Lou Kushnick. The event hosted at Central…
Central Library hosts Ukrainian Art Exhibition
In 2024, Manchester Libraries became twinned with Lviv Regional Youth Library in Ukraine – Manchester Libraries twin with Ukraine Library And in 2026, Bridge of Sunflowers, an extraordinary new collaborative exhibition between…
Libraries Update – February 2026
Bridge of Sunflowers: Ukrainian Art – Central Library Manchester Central Library has been delighted to host Bridge of Sunflowers, an exhibition composed of artwork by young Ukrainian artists from the…
Libraries Update – November 2025
Libraries as Warm Spaces This winter, every library in Manchester is again a warm, safe and free space that residents of all ages can come in and stay warm all…
Longsight Library Fun Palace
Longsight Library had another fantastic Fun Palace on the first Saturday of October. Despite the stormy wild weather outside, we had a lovely turn out of folk in the pursuit…
Full Volume Podcast: Tynah Matembe + Cole Stacey
In its penultimate edition of 2025, Full Volume is back with another treasure trove of library-related gold. This month, host Alan Lynch sits down with award-winning money coach, global speaker…
Libraries Update – September 2025
LGBT Histories in Focus – Archives+ Archives+ staff felt honoured to host the Unison North West LGBT group who paid a visit to Manchester Central Library to view the Archives+…
Nearly 2 Miles of Yarn and 1000 Volunteer Hours: How Manchester Libraries Yarnbombed the Women’s Rugby World Cup
The Women’s Rugby World Cup is one of the most important fixtures in this year’s sport’s calendar, and Anna Putek, Delivery Assistant at Manchester Central Library, was thrilled when she…
Libraries Update – August 2025
Summer Reading Challenge – Story Garden This year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Story Garden – was launched on 1 July and runs to 13 September. Manchester Libraries have been offering lots of…
Beswick Library Chess Tournament
Chess Club was started at Beswick Library at the beginning of this year by staff member Jamie and has swiftly grown in size and popularity since then. In April, Jamie…
Love Stories etc Festival returns to Central Library.
The #LoveStoriesetc Festival returns on 25 and 26 July to Manchester Central Library!! A magical weekend with over 35 authors, workshops and lots more! Love Stories Etc… launched in 2024 with a…
Libraries Update – June 2025
Councillor John Hacking and Councillor Garry Bridges shared the stage at an event this month marking Manchester’s designations as a UNESCO City of Literature & a UNESCO City of Learning…