Amazing way to use a library
Illuminate wows audiences and proves the possibilities are endless for Manchester libraries. Library Live, the innovative arts programme funded by Arts Council England, Grants for the Arts, has continued to…
Category Events and activities
Read Manchester is back!
This year we will be focusing primarily upon early years and young people to assist their development and love of reading. We think it’s important that the library be a…
Lighting Up Libraries
Last November, Company Chameleon transformed Manchester Central Library through dance in Illuminate, their site-specific production commissioned by Library Live. Now the Manchester dance company are touring excerpts from the production…
The Danger Tree exhibition
Experience a groundbreaking visual art exhibition at Manchester Central Library combining traditional painting with augmented reality technology. Scarlett Raven and Marc Marot’s stunning augmented reality project, The Danger Tree, opens…
Levenshulme Language Day at Arcadia Library
It was all things language at Arcadia Library. Multi-Language Manchester from Manchester University and the library brought together the local community and beyond for a cultural feast. The young…
Another Sell Out Crowd Expected at Central Library
The former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is visiting Central Library this month to talk about a remarkable 40 years on the political front line and celebrate the release of his…
Discover Library Live
Did you know that through the Library Live website, you can . . . Sign up for the Library Live newsletter Join our Facebook page Keep up to date and…
Library Live presents Illuminate
We’re delighted to announce that free tickets are now available for ILLUMINATE – a Journey of Seven Stories, an original site specific dance performance, at Manchester Central Library. Commissioned especially for…
UK and Pakistan Exhibition Launches
In September we were delighted to host two special events at Central Library and Longsight Library to launch photography exhibitions celebrating ‘70 years of UK and Pakistan Relations: Shared History,…
Roald Dahl Day
On Roald Dahl Day, Wednesday 13 September a unique LEGO® brick build of Charlie, good-hearted hero of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was revealed at Central Library. There are six…
Brass In Pocket: Make A Living In Music
Thursday 12th January It was Access All Areas at this panel event aimed at anyone wanting to get a foot in the door of the creative industries. We had a…
The Homeless Library
Homeless people in Greater Manchester have handmade the first history of British homelessness. The Homeless Library, devised by arts organisation arthur+martha, is coming to Manchester Central Library 31 January-31 March…
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Somme
In May 1916, 20 year-old Rifleman Barney Griew wrote from the Western Front: ‘I am quite happy with my scout job. To tell the truth I almost feel safer in…
Jill Furmanovsky presents Oasis DNA
The photographer who charted the supernova rise of Oasis to international stardom is launching an exhibition of some of her classic images at Central Library. Jill Furmanovsky worked with Noel,…
Libraries team up with BBC Love to Read
Central Library is to host a national flagship event to celebrate books and reading. Reading Hack is teaming up with the BBC #Love to Read campaign – on Monday 24…
Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month has taken place every October for more than 35 years, across the UK. This year’s Manchester programme includes a special exhibition to commemorate the 30th anniversary of…
Manchester libraries become Fun Palaces
Manchester Libraries’ Fun Palaces day, on Saturday 1 October, offers activities for everyone from computer coders, amateur bakers and origami enthusiasts to poetry fans, knitting fiends and dancing queens.The concept…
Big Friendly Read Sunday Funday
Join us for a celebration of books and reading on one of our exclusive Sunday openings. We are celebrating a summer of the Big Friendly Read – The Summer Reading…
Christmas Extravaganza
Manchester Central Library helped residents and visitors get their festive season underway on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2015 with a weekend family extravaganza. Choirs, crafts, reading dens and…
Visit the library gift shop
Visit the Central Library shop for unique bookish gifts and Manchester related goodies. Most things are also available online including t-shirts, greetings cards, notebooks, jigsaws and even a specially commissioned silk…