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…
Category Young People
Baby Week 2026
The Read Manchester/Manchester Libraries team was excited to take part in the Baby Week 2026 launch event recently. There was a full programme of activities and events for expectant parents, parents, and babies. The launch was held in the city centre at Manchester…
MAD – Manchester Activity Day Teens led event in Longsight
In March this year a group of amazing young people from St Peter’s High School in Longsight devised and hosted their own event at Longsight Library. The event was the…
Manchester volunteers pay tribute to Dolly Parton, and tell local families her books will keep arriving
Manchester Imagination Library has posted more than 50,000 free books to local children since 2018. Volunteers at Manchester Imagination Library, the charity that runs Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in parts…
Summer Reading Challenge Read to the Beat Launches Across Manchester!
1 July to 12 September The Summer Reading Challenge got off to a fantastic start across Manchester, with the Children and Access Team delivering three exciting launch events for local…
Read Manchester Update Summer 2026
Welcome to our Read Manchester Summer update. We are well into the National Year of Reading now and Read Manchester celebrates a 10-year anniversary this year too! See what we’ve been up to and how you can help us to Go…
The Great Science Share 2026
Read Manchester has collaborated with publisher Mama Makes Books and the Great Science Share for Schools to provide 200 books for Manchester pupils involved in the Great Science Share. Pioneered in Manchester, The University of Manchester’s Science & Engineering Education Research and…
Read to the Beat 2026 Summer Reading Challenge
Join the rhythm of reading this summer! As the long, sunny days of summer approach, there’s no better time to encourage children to explore new ideas and stories than through the joy of reading. This year,…
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.…
Read Manchester Spring Update
Welcome to our Read Manchester Spring update. We are well into the National Year of Reading now, with lots of exciting events coming up both nationally and locally. Since January, we’ve been out and about for World Book Day and celebrated…
See Myself in Books Festival
Every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read. This is the driver behind Read Manchester’s See Myself in Books campaign, which aims to introduce children to a…
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…
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.
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…
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!
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…
Chorlton Library Children’s Reading group
We have started a new children’s reading group at Chorlton library, the first session happened this week, our reading group is on the first Tuesday of each month, 5-6pm, it…
Pride in the Archives
Manchester Pride is over for this year, but we are still celebrating the landmark anniversaries of two landmark Manchester charities – 50 years of the LGBT Foundation and 40 years…