Libraries Update – November 2025
Libraries as Warm Spaces
This winter, every library in Manchester is again a warm, safe and free space that residents of all ages can come in and stay warm all day in a positive environment with lots of resources.
Free hot drinks are available in every library until February 2026.
Start-Up Day 2025! – Business & IP Centre
Start-up Day is a standout moment in the Business & IP Centre’s calendar, and their packed programme truly reflected its importance. From connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs to uncovering success strategies from renowned industry leaders, the day offered something for everyone. Library staff were delighted to welcome keynote speaker, Emma Bowe, co-founder of Shocken Foods. Emma is one of the UK’s most dynamic entrepreneurial voices, who rose from a working-class upbringing to building a globally recognised food innovation company.
The day was packed with highlights, including a dynamic panel featuring three local businesses that really resonated with attendees. The social media workshop, finance presentation and speed mentoring were equally popular, sparking lively discussions and enthusiastic engagement. To make the day even more special, a select few enjoyed professional headshots captured by the talented local photographer, Breige Cobane. Feedback included:
“Very engaging and useful advice from real people.”
“Fabulous. Speakers were brilliant and engaging. Very informative day.”
A big thank you to all speakers at Start-Up Day 2025 – Adam Whittaker, Breige Cobane, Dan Ponting, Emma Bowe, Eric McBean, Mr Babz, and the Business Compliance Team!
Books for Christmas! – Manchester Libraries Trust
Manchester Libraries Trust, the charity that supports archives, educational and cultural activity in Manchester Libraries has launched a new Christmas book gifting appeal Books for Christmas 2025 – JustGiving
More than a quarter of pupils in Manchester leave primary school unable to read well. The appeal will help Read Manchester and Manchester Libraries gift books to local children who need them most. All children need and deserve to own new books. At this time, when we know many parents cannot afford more expense, it is crucial that we support the most vulnerable local children. Working together, we can ensure that we are reaching local children and families where free new books can really improve their lives.
If you can, please support the appeal this Christmas: Books for Christmas 2025 – JustGiving
Non-Fiction November – Read Manchester
National Non-Fiction November is an annual celebration of factual reading which aims to promote the joy of non-fiction to young readers. Non-fiction can encompass anything readers are curious about, from science, nature and health to arts, music, sport and hobbies, biography and more. In research carried out by the National Literacy Trust, over half (56%) of children and young people said they read non-fiction.
To celebrate Non-Fiction November, Read Manchester is working with publishers and authors to promote non-fiction and give away books to pupils of Manchester schools. On Tuesday 11 November, the team we excited to welcome Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records, to Forum Library’s Creative Space. Children from 3 local primary schools – Ringway, St Anthony’s and Baguley Hall – attended and everyone had a whale of a time learning about how the record book began and the most unusual records, such as most tattooed man and longest fingernails! The children also met Mariam “Amazi” Olayiwola, four-time hula-hooping world record holder! They also had the chance to have a go at hula-hooping themselves and every pupil received a copy of Guinness World Records: Gamer Edition, kindly donated by the publisher.
The Read Manchester team also planned a range of visits at the end of the month from Chris Lloyd, founder of What on Earth! books and Emma Young, fun facts science writer. These were kindly supported by DK publishers who have donated books for the children attending and a further 1,000 non-fiction for us to distribute to schools.
Business Support – Generator
As the colder months arrive, the Generator team have made sure that workspace at Royal Mills and St. Peters Square remain warm and comfortable, making the perfect working environment. Last week, staff were proud to host a Green Entrepreneurship Hackathon in partnership with MMU and UOM. Aspiring students brought forward innovative ideas for a more sustainable future In Manchester.
A series of Tax Workshops, supporting small businesses and sole traders were very popular as they help attendees to prepare for the transition of making tax digital next year. These sessions were designed to build confidence with self-assessment and ensure small businesses in greater Manchester are ready for the changes ahead.
Another highlight was the very first Neurodivergent Networking Workshop, delivered in partnership with Manchester Community Central. This practical event provided a valuable opportunity for members of the neurodivergent business community to connect, share experiences, and engage with Manchester’s wider business support ecosystem.
Lipservice Theatre Company Exhibition – Archives+
Archives+ has been privileged to be supporting the acclaimed Manchester-based Lipservice Theatre company as they prepare their archive and forthcoming exhibition at Central Library. Founder Sue Ryding has been busy with her group of volunteers digitising and cataloguing this 40 year collection of theatre scripts, photographs and props including a life-sized sheep and a comic Victorian murder victim called the Major. These and other materials from this fascinating archive will form part of the Funny Stuff exhibition launching in early January 2026. Volunteers are currently hard at work creating Ken and Barbie-style Action dolls featuring characters from the 23 Lipservice shows which toured across the UK.
Manchester Libraries Podcast!
‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ takes listeners behind the shelves of our city’s much-loved libraries. Presented by the Central Library’s own Alan Lynch, every month the podcast lifts the lid on a treasure trove of insider tips, exclusive interviews, book reviews, and much more.
Listen to Episode 10: Tynah Matembe + Cole Stacey
New Children’s Book Club – Chorlton library
Library staff have launched a brand-new children’s reading group at Chorlton Library!
This monthly book club is for children aged 7–11, offering a friendly and supportive space to share what they enjoy – or don’t, about books and reading. At the first session, children took part in lively discussions and got creative by decorating tote bags with images inspired by their favourite stories. The team are excited to welcome both avid bookworms and reluctant readers, helping every child discover the joy and power of reading.
Best Live Event Award – Forum Library Creative Space
The Creative Space team at Forum Library are thrilled to announce that their innovative youth music collective has won the Best Live Event award at Manchester Culture Awards for the Wythenshawe Live Night event! It was an inspiring evening and a real honour for the team to receive recognition for all of the hard work and determination that went into the planning and organisation of the Live Night. This collaboration brought together Wythenshawe’s very own Music Evermore Rock Band project and Brighter Sound who have nurtured local talent in Manchester for the past 20 years. The Creative Space team have also commissioned Brighter Sound to initially to run a 5- week Music Production workshop.
Following the success of this, Brighter Sound decided to run more workshops free of charge in the Creative Space for young people. This partnership culminated in a showcase for 30 young performers to an audience of 120 at the sold-out Forum Library Creative Space. Media Cubs produced a video of the night and also provided media training for our young people. The Live Night is truly reflective of the Creative Space vision of nurturing local talent as well as providing cultural and creative opportunities for the community of Wythenshawe. We truly believe that collaborative projects like this can make a big difference to the lives of young people.
Green Libraries Week – Gorton Library
Green Libraries Week at Gorton Library culminated in the second of two workshops with Cabasa Arts, designing and making a festival type flag/banner. One library from each of the Greater Manchester authorities were selected to take part. The first part saw the drawing up of the large design, bees and flowers. The second part was batiking the design onto a pre-prepared freshly dyed with chamomile flowers large piece of material.
Young people painted the design with hot wax which was then take away to be dyed with a contrasting colour. Alongside this activity, Cabasa brought along some templates and dyes that all children could decorate tote bags with. This was a fantastic hit with all! One young person gave this brilliant feedback:
“I didn’t want to do it at first, because I wanted to go home after a long day of studying, but after a while I started to like it and it was really fun in the end. Thank You!”
Once finished the 10 flags will form a roaming exhibition in the libraries that took part.
Green Week – Didsbury library
As part of Libraries Green Week, Didsbury Library hosted a hands-on planting session. Participants of all ages enjoyed potting daffodil bulbs to take home, ready to bloom in February and March next year. It was a lively and well-attended event, bringing the community together to celebrate sustainability and the joy of gardening.
Christmas Light Switch-On – North City Library
Staff from North City Library ran a book gifting stall at the Christmas light switch-on in Harpurhey a couple of weeks ago in the wind and rain (nearly losing their gazebo more than once when a strong gust of wind came along)! Local community groups created lanterns, and then took part in a lantern parade led by a brass band through the shopping district.
Councillor Pat Karney, Councillor Joanne Green and Councillor Bev Craig gave a speech commending the fantastic turnout despite the heavy rain. This was followed by the switching on of the Christmas tree lights and all of the surrounding light up decorations and then children and young people from the Factory Youth Zone put on musical and dance performances. Throughout this, we talked to people about the library and our many offers and we gifted lots of books while the neighbourhood team gifted selection books to lots of families.
Baby Rhyme Time – Brooklands Library
In November, library staff hosted a delightful baby session at Brooklands Library.
The session was packed with engaging activities – songs, rhymes, puppets, fabrics, musical instruments, ribbons, and a charming reindeer storybook with touch-and-feel illustrations. The babies loved the interactive fun, while parents and grandparents enjoyed connecting with others and watching their little ones have a fabulous time.
