Open Day at the House of Commons Library
Here we have a guest blog from Rosalind Pye, a Neighbourhood Delivery Assistant working and studying part- time with Manchester Central Library. Here she recounts her fascinating study visit to…
Category Education and learning
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…
Assheton Archives and Archery -A Sports Day with A Difference!
The Assheton of Middleton project has had many exciting events over the past year and the most memorable was a sports day with a difference as we hosted the Assheton History and Archery…
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…
See Myself in Books festival is back!
The See Myself in Books Festival returns to Manchester from 9 to 20 March, featuring 13 diverse authors and illustrators. Designed to promote inclusivity in children's literature, the festival allows children to engage with relatable characters and cultural stories, enhancing their reading experience. A special event will be hosted on 12 March.
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…
15,000 packs: Bookstart blooms in Manchester
Bookstart is thriving in Manchester and here at Manchester Libraries we’re really proud to take the lead in delivering a variety of Booktrust programmes and supporting their campaigns. Last year we delivered over 15,000 Bookstart Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, and Additional Needs packs and resources to families across the city. However even more important is…
Big Garden Birdwatch, Walk & Craft
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…
Winter Holiday Activity Fund Sessions in Libraries 2025
This winter we will be hosting 14 sessions in 6 libraries, especially for children aged 10 – 16 who are eligible for free school meals. We have many exciting and…
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…
Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Celebrating Our Winners!
Summer Reading Challenge: Celebrating Our Winners!
Celebrating Non-Fiction November 2025
To celebrate Non-Fiction November, Read Manchester has spent the past month working with publishers and authors to promote non-fiction and gift fantastic fact books to pupils of Manchester schools. We’ve had…
Non-Fiction November with Read Manchester
When we think of reading for pleasure, we often first think of novels – but fiction is only part of the story. National Non-Fiction November is an annual celebration of…
Libraries Update – October 2025
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…
Manchester Mind – Podcast at the Business & IP Centre
Manchester Mind is a mental health charity which has been delivering services to the local community for 36 years. Their services support young people and adults, and include counselling, advice…
Sowing the Seeds of Change
Green Libraries Week takes place across our libraries Monday 27 October to Sunday 2 November. This years theme is ‘Seeds of Change – Make a difference with Your Library’ and…
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+…
Celebrating Creativity and Diversity: ‘See Myself in Books’ Bookmark Competition Winners Announced!
We are thrilled to announce the winners of our ‘See Myself in Books’ bookmark design competition, a vibrant celebration of creativity, identity, and inclusion across Manchester. As part of our ongoing campaign…
Watch Shane Hegarty, author of this year’s Early Years Transition Read introduce The One and Only You
We are delighted that The One and Only You by Shane Hegarty and illustrated by Ben Mantle is our Transition Read title for children starting Reception classes this September. The…
Baby Week 2025- Launch at Central Library
On Monday 16 June, hundreds of buggies, prams and babes in arms flowed across St Peter’s Square between Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester Central Library as Manchester Baby Week 2025…