Longsight Library Fun Palace
Longsight Library held their annual Fun Palace at the beginning of October. We had lots of fantastic activities brought to us by local partners and artists much to the joy…
Category Art and culture
Black History Month Exhibitions
Award winning artist Tina Ramos Ekongo is currently curating 3 Black History Month Exhibitions of locally based Black Artists. One each in the following libraries: Chorlton Library: Thursday 1 October…
Teen Cosplayers Take Over Central Library
In August we held our first ever teen cosplay event at Central library. The event was co-created with 15-year-old Amira. Amira contacted us via her school librarian when she was…
Books at ‘Button Up!’ – Manchester Libraries collaboration with Factory International
Some of our library books are spending the summer at Factory International as part of their exhibition and events featuring the work of Ai Weiwei. The books will be on…
Sleepy-zine in the library!
We were graced with a group of brilliant students from Manchester Metropolitan University at Longsight Library delivering an activity in our children’s library. They were working on a student commissioned…
Forum Library Creative Space update
Its been an exciting few months at the Forum Libraries Creative Space where we have hosted an array of unique and diverse performances for the people of Wythenshawe to enjoy.…
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…
Daria Chromik Dazzles with Piano Recital
Last week (26 March), acclaimed Polish pianist, Daria Chromik, appeared at the Henry Watson Music Library for a special lunchtime performance.Presenting ‘Between Note and Emotion – Piano Recital’, the concert…
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…
The Special Collection of Henry Watson
The Royal Northern College of Music have been awarded £50k from The National Archives: Archives Revealed cataloguing fund for an 18 month project. The project will result in uncatalogued stock…
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…
Libraries Report 2026
Earlier today, Councillor John Hacking Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure and I, took a report on libraries to the Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee. The report describes how the…
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…
Bridge of Sunflowers – Exhibition
In 2024, Manchester Libraries became twinned with Lviv Regional Youth Library in Ukraine – Manchester Libraries twin with Ukraine Library As a result of this partnership Manchester Central Library will soon host…
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…