Libraries Update – June 2026

Detective Day – Central Library

For Share a Story Month, Central Library celebrated its first-ever Detective Day with 3 Manchester schools, focused on crime and mystery stories. The event began with a brilliant virtual visit from author Sharna Jackson, who inspired children with her High Rise Mysteries.

Soon after, a precious library book was “stolen,” launching an exciting investigation. Children searched for clues, cracked codes, explored forensics with Love Science, and examined the scene of the crime. Thanks to their detective skills, the children revealed the culprit! A child said, “I loved how Sharna explained where her ideas come from. It made me want to write my own stories!”

Creative Space Highlights – Wythenshawe Library

Creative Space built on a busy May programme which included live performances, exhibitions and youth activity. Highlights included a first fashion show focused on sustainability, the “It’s a Shawe Thing” exhibition celebrating local artists, and a Battle of the Bands attracting 150 attendees and raising funds for Music Evermore. Youth provision also expanded with new weekly sessions and partnerships supporting DJing, music and creative skills. Read more at the Manchester Libraries blog.

Creative Space is hosting Malandra Jacks’ award-winning play Census on 13 June for Festival of Libraries, alongside a pre-show workshop, check out tickets on Eventbrite. As part of the festival, Reform Radio is running a DJ workshop at Wythenshawe Forum on 11 June for ages 19–30. Rock School Music Evermore will also deliver a hands-on band workshop, giving participants the chance to try instruments and learn a song in 30–60 minutes, showcasing beginner-friendly music-making.

Wall of Hope Event in Withington – Archives+

Archives+ team enjoyed a fantastic day on 18 June, when Withington Library came alive with local schoolchildren celebrating the Marcus Rashford Wall of Hope Education Resource. This inspiring digital resource helps children and young people explore how communities can come together to tackle racism and support one another. England’s World Cup win the night before, with a goal from Marcus Rashford, made the event especially timely, highlighting how Withington responded to division during the 2020 UEFA Euros with positivity and care.

Co-hosted with Withington Walls, founder Ed Wellard led children and guests on mural tours, with a stop for ice cream from the Iceshack. Back at the library, activities included exploring original archives, making Lego bees, watching a film about the project, choosing free books from Read Manchester and adding messages to the Wall of Hope. The day concluded with an open session for the public, with refreshments and a chance to explore the collection and resource. Thanks go to Ed, AkseP19, Withington Walls, and participating schools for their enthusiasm and valuable feedback.

Space Activities with Planetarium Go – Central Library

Central Library delivered two days of space-themed activities to complement the Planetarium Go offer held outside the building. Activities included creating aliens and headbands, space science sessions, Alien Attack, Space Ranger badges, astronauts and rockets.

There was plenty of fun during the space games, with children racing on space hoppers, passing molten moon rock and playing with floating planets. A space-themed film was screened, alongside a story about Little Bob saving the world by children’s author Tessa Singh. In total, 200 children joined in the activities

Baby Week – Read Manchester

Read Manchester alongside Literacy Champions and partner colleagues from Manchester Libraries, supported the Manchester Baby Week launch event at Manchester Art Gallery on Monday 15 June. With attendance of around 1,500 families and their little ones, it was a wonderful opportunity to share family resources packs which included Share Stories With Me booklets and Talking Tip cards. Read Manchester gifted board books and signed up an incredible 141 babies as they launched the brand new ‘My First Library Card’. The day was packed full of never-ending stories, rhymes and hands on interactive sessions.

Festival of Libraries – Avenue Library

Avenue Library recently celebrated the Festival of Libraries with a lively Family Fun Day. Families enjoyed a range of creative activities, including making their own monsters and decorating tote bags. Face painting proved popular before everyone joined in a silent disco. Visitors also received a free book to take home, along with a handmade “worry worm” crocheted by library staff.

Empathy Day Festival – Wythenshawe Library

Manchester Libraries celebrated Empathy Festival with a vibrant and inspiring session on Empathy Day, with poet and author Oliver Sykes. Despite the rainy weather, the event was filled with joy as 122 primary school children from St Anthony’s RC and Old Moat Primary enjoyed an engaging poetry performance and powerful messages about empathy and kindness. The children responded enthusiastically, sharing how much they loved the experience, with many feeling inspired to return to school and start writing their own poetry.

Polish Heritage Day – Central Library

Polish Heritage Day was celebrated at Central Library on 28 May. With funding from the Polish Consulate in Manchester, a craft-filled afternoon for families was delivered. The event featured information stalls and free books for children.

The Polish school performed traditional dances, providing entertainment and a vibrant showcase of culture. Everyone who attended had the opportunity to learn more about Polish heritage.

Business Events – Generator

The Generator Hub provides entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses with a supportive and productive environment to develop their ideas and grow. Through a wide range of free workshops, hundreds of businesses have already been supported, building skills in areas such as website design (including e-commerce), basic accountancy, marketing strategies and effective use of social media. Enterprise Officers Emma and Philip have also delivered extensive one-to-one support sessions, working closely with clients to map out the wide range of free resources and services available across Greater Manchester. This includes access to more than £5 million worth of business databases, available through libraries thanks to the Business & IP Centre (BIPC).

At the heart of the Generator Hub offer are two centrally located, affordable co-working spaces in St Peter’s Square and Ancoats. Open Monday to Friday, 9–5, the hubs provide fully equipped, bookable workspaces with ergonomic chairs, height-adjustable desks, monitors, meeting pods and refreshments to support a productive day. The hub was also recently showcased at a successful open day, welcoming partners from Build a Business, the Growth Hub and NatWest Accelerator, alongside presentations from a number of member businesses.

Music Makers – Avenue Library

For three sessions, the Music Makers team from the Bridgewater Hall brought a lively twist to story time at Avenue Library. Families thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, which combined storytelling with music in a fun and engaging way. The experience didn’t end there, some families were inspired to attend a follow-up Music Makers session at the Bridgewater Hall later that week, extending the impact beyond the library.
With smiles all around and glorious sunshine adding to the atmosphere, it was a wonderful series of events that left both children and adults with lasting memories.