Category Community and social

Children’s and Read Manchester

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

Two members of staff are sat in two big armchairs in the middle of the children library. They are each holding a copy of the same book, open on the same page, showing the page to children and parents in attendance. A big group of children and parents are lying or sat on the floor, listening to the two members of staff. In the background, the wall of the children library is decorated with a jungle-themed motif.

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…

Libraries Update – February 2026

Councillor Hacking and guests at Chorlton Library

Good Things Foundation Visit to Chorlton Library The new Chief Executive of the Good Things Foundation, Vicki Sellick, visited Chorlton Library this month to see the great service we offer…

ASSHETON HISTORY ROADSHOW COMING UP!   

We’re excited to announce the dates of our final events in the Assheton of Middleton history project. Following the purchase in 2023 of this important manorial document collection for the Greater…

Libraries Update – February 2026

Bridge of Sunflowers artwork

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…

Festive Book Gifting 2025 with Read Manchester

Read Manchester’s Festive Book Gifting project this year was a huge success, with a total of 12,956 Books gifted across 140 different settings! We worked with a wide variety of different organisations, including: Food Banks…

Libraries Update – December 2025

Photograph of the delegation being greeted by Lord Mayor Cllr Carmine Grimshaw and Galleries and Culture Neil MacInnes

Henan University Visit – Central Library On Wednesday 3 December Manchester Central Library was honoured to host a delegation from Henan University and the Chinese Consulate in Manchester on an…

Big Garden Birdwatch, Walk & Craft

adult and child with binoculars, birdwatching

The RSPB and Manchester Libraries invite you to join us on Saturday 24th January 2026 to take part in two special Big Garden Birdwatch activities. To celebrate the UK’s biggest garden…

Manchester Libraries Launch Youth-Friendly Standards

This year we have been looking at our Youth Friendly Standards, consulting with young people from all over Manchester to obtain their views and feedback to help launch a new…

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…

Take 10 to Read 2025

Staff at The Christie receiving free books at the Take 10 event

This October Read Manchester ran our annual Take 10 to Read campaign, promoting the importance of reading for mental health and wellbeing. Just 10 minutes of reading can be a…

Libraries Update – October 2025

Digital Inclusion team running an information stand at Central Library

Get Online Week across Manchester Libraries The Digital Inclusion team took part in Get Online Week, supporting residents to take their first digital steps, such as using the NHS App or…

What is Take 10 to Read?  

Reading is a great way to relax, boost your mood and escape the pressures of daily life. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take 10 minutes to read on Friday 10…

Libraries Update – September 2025

Neil MacInnes, Unison North West LGBT group and Archives+ staff photographed at Central Library

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+…

Summer Reading Challenge Roadshows in Manchester Parks

Staff from libraries and read manchester speaking to the public at our stall in Alexandra Park.

To celebrate this year’s outdoor themed Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden, Read Manchester and Manchester libraries visited parks around the city with a ‘Summer Reading Challenge Roadshow’!  Read Manchester/Libraries staff, supported…