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 city of Lviv. This unique collection explores the impacts of the ongoing conflict, as well as the hopes and dreams of those living through it. Participants were supported by The Sunflower Dreams Project, which showcases the work of Ukrainian children in exhibitions across the European Union, the United Kingdom and North America. The project was created and is supported exclusively by a team of multinational volunteers.

Creative responses from young people in Manchester can be viewed alongside the artwork. These are the outcome of workshops run on 27 and 28 January at Manchester Central Library by creative arts charity Never Such Innocence (NSI), who give children and young people a voice on conflict. The workshops were led by expert practitioners, author Nik Perring and artist Alex Hinge. All of the work on display is responding to NSI’s international competition theme for 2025/26, ‘In Someone Else’s Shoes’. This exhibition is a collaboration between the Sunflower Dreams Project, Never Such Innocence and Manchester Libraries.

To find out more about the exhibition’s opening times, visit our LibraryLive page.

New Year, New Look! – Newton Heath Library

Newton Heath Library has been buzzing following a refurbishment completed at the end of last year. The library closed for four weeks to undergo a mini makeover, which included new flooring, fresh paint throughout, and the addition of new furniture and PC benching. The improvements have transformed the space, and feedback from regular customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Read more about the refurbishment on the Manchester Libraries blog. 

Festive Book Gifting – 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. Overall, 4213 books were gifted to 29 Foodbanks, Community Grocers and other organisations across the city who run other types of food provision for those in food poverty. We know that food provision is a priority for many Manchester families, so books may not be high on their agenda. By providing books at the same time and venue as they collect their food, it means that we can get books into the hands of our most disadvantaged children, and the feedback we get is that the parents are very grateful as they can use the books as Christmas gifts. Comments included:

“Books are an amazing addition to our food parcel and have been greatly received in the previous years we have been fortunate enough to be gifted them from yourselves”.
Manchester Central Foodbank.

350 early years books were gifted to 32 Manchester Sure Start Children’s Centres to gift to their most vulnerable families in time for Christmas. 1016 books were gifted to 22 Manchester Libraries to give to attendees at the weekly Storytimes. 1745 books were gifted to parks and in conjunction with Council Neighbourhood Officers for various winter and Christmas lights switch-on events.

The Marcus Rashford Wall of Hope: An Educational Resource

Manchester Libraries in partnership with Withington Walls are excited to launch a brand-new digital resource showcasing 100 objects from the Marcus Rashford Mural Tributes archive.

The mural of Marcus Rashford, located in Withington where he lived as a child on the Old Moat Estate, was created by artist AkseP19 and is based on a photograph by Daniel Cheetham. In 2021, following the penalty shootout loss in the UEFA Euro final, the mural was defaced with offensive messages, and England’s Black players, including Rashford, faced racist abuse online. The community in Withington responded by covering the vandalism with heartfelt messages of love and support, which snowballed into thousands of messages from the wider community and a collective demonstration of solidarity and resilience.

All the messages were rescued from the rain and are now kept at Manchester Central Library. This new online digital resource allows you to see these messages like you’ve never seen them before at www.marcusrashfordresource.co.uk.

The Marcus Rashford Wall of Hope: An Educational Resource by Manchester Libraries and Withington Walls was commissioned as part of Digital Spaces, supported by The Space in association with Arts Council England. It was created in partnership with MBD.

Dry January – Supporting Health and Wellbeing 

Manchester Libraries have been helping those taking a break from alcohol or exploring their relationship with drinking in January with a new range of books, e-books and e-audiobooks available to search via our library catalogue. 

Working with researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University and local community organisations, we’ve hosted a range of information events in Central Library in January, as well as curating a selection of recommended book titles, including a range of electronic titles on the Borrowbox platform that can be accessed from home. These items are often referred to as “Quit Lit” (short for quitting literature), which is a growing collection of books and media that helps people think about and take steps to change their relationship with alcohol or other substances. It includes real-life stories, practical advice, and easy-to-understand information.

AI Train The Trainer Workshop – Digital Inclusion Team

The Digital Inclusion team had a great day on 21 January with Professor Keeley Crockett and Dr Mohammed Kaleem from Manchester Metropolitan University and 17 attendees working in local Manchester VCFSEs.

This workshop provided the chance to interrogate the risks, ethics and opportunities of AI, explore potential applications within the context of local organisations, and experiment with a range of AI tools in a safe environment.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined the team and helped make the day such a success. Understanding AI and its impact is a vital part of digital inclusion, and we’re really looking forward to seeing how attendees put this knowledge into practice.

Business Events – The Generator

Over the course of this month, the Generator hosted a series of events and workshops, including five skills‑focused sessions and a well‑attended Open Day. The workshops included and AI Editing and Content Strategy session, Customer Acquisition Essentials, Exploring Canva for Beginners, Financial Clarity Made Simple, and Beginner’s Podcasting for Small Businesses! All were designed to equip local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills to support the growth and development of their ideas.

The Open Day proved particularly valuable for those looking to start a business in Manchester, as well as individuals exploring flexible coworking space to support their work. It also created an opportunity to spotlight several new and growing businesses within the Generator community.

Featured businesses included Volcan Coffee, founded by Erik Sanchez, which offers coffee inspired by the spirit and biodiversity of Colombia’s volcanic highlands; TapeEz, an innovative tool designed to make tape dispensing more efficient; and Jon Marks, a creative designer specialising in virtual production, virtual reality, and concept design. In addition, the team welcomed the Social by Design group, which supports Arabic refugee entrepreneurs and helps connect the Arabic community with our services. Finally, Start Up Wingman provided tailored advice and guidance for early‑stage businesses.

Holiday Activity Fund Sessions – Withington Library

Withington Library delivered two HAF sessions in January, offering a vibrant mix of arts and crafts activities. Sessions included clay modelling, puppet making and lantern making, ensuring there was something to suit all interests. The first session had a real party atmosphere, complete with games and bingo, which the young people thoroughly enjoyed. All sessions were well attended and provided children with a full, creative day alongside a nice lunch. Library staff were delighted with the positive engagement and enthusiasm shown by the children.

North City Library Turns 20!

North City Library marked its 20th anniversary on 4 January, celebrating the milestone with a full week of activities from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 January. The programme included a Silent Disco, an author visit with local schools, a guided nature walk with the RSPB, and a range of other community activities. Photos from the celebrations can be viewed on the Manchester Libraries blog!

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – Arcadia Library

Arcadia Library staff enjoyed a wonderful day with families in January as they teamed up with the RSPB to deliver a fantastic guided walk at Highfield Country Park, followed by activities back at the library. Roshni from the RSPB led engaging activities designed to help people take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. Armed with spotter sheets and plenty of local nature knowledge, especially about birds, she guided the group around the park.

The walk also featured a visit to the beautifully designed nature‑first Bee Sanctuary, led by Sheila, which was a highlight for many participants. Back at the library, families spent the afternoon making origami birds and playing Bird Bingo, which proved very popular. One young participant said: “Today was lovely. I especially loved the Bee Place,” and even awarded the session five stars.

Knitting, Cross-stitch and Embroidery: A New Social Group – Central Library

If you want to get crafty, Manchester Central Library is the place to be! You might remember our legendary crochet club started by Anna Putek, who even won the Our Manchester in Action Neighbourhoods Directorate Award for Excellence in 2025 for yarnbombing the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Following the huge success of this project, which involved volunteers spending over 1000 hours in local libraries, Anna has now launched a new social group.

If you are a fan of knitting, cross-stitch, or embroidery, you can now join in at Central Library on the first Friday of each month, 2-4. As always, this new craft group is open to all levels of experience, including absolute beginners. All the materials are provided by the library and the activity is run on a pay-as-you-feel basis.

All of the money raised by the group will be donated to Manchester Libraries Trust and used to help us deliver even more educational and social activities for all ages. To stay up-to-date on future dates, visit Library Live. To read more about Anna’s yarnbombing project, visit the Manchester Libraries blog.

Events in February!

Meet Your Muslim Neighbours: Explore Islam Exhibition and Event 

Join us and the Meet Your Muslim Neighbours team for a special one-day community led event and exhibition about Islamic culture and Muslim people, at Central Library on Saturday 14 February, 11am-4. Filled with free activities for all ages, including henna painting, interactive word hunts, Arabic tea and coffee, costume dressing, arts and crafts, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Delve into the richness of Islamic culture with informative stands exploring foundational beliefs and scientific contributions. Engage in meaningful conversations and build bridges of understanding and unity. Don’t miss this enriching experience for the whole family!

Find out more about the Meet Your Muslim Neighbours: Explore Islam Exhibition and Event at our Manchester Libraries Blog.

Digital Experiences – Central Library

As February approaches, prepare to explore new worlds with David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Vaughan Williams and Laika the first astronaut dog, at your local library. For three weeks, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences.

After a resoundingly successful debut last summer, which saw hundreds of Manchester residents dive into virtual realities, Manchester Libraries are delighted to confirm that the headsets will return for a series of public drop-in sessions at Manchester Central Library (4-7 February), Abraham Moss Library (9-14 February), and Wythenshawe Forum (17-20 February).

Brand new experiences for 2026 include, ‘Hold the World with Sir David Attenborough’ – a ground-breaking interactive VR tour of the Natural History Museum in London led by the most iconic of guides; plus ‘Laika’ an immersive VR short film from BAFTA and Academy Award-winning director Asif Kapadia that will tell the story of Earth’s first canine space traveller.

Further details of sessions can be found at librarylive.co.uk