Tag books

My First Library Card 

Manchester Libraries has just launched ‘My First Library Card’ – a brand-new library card for babies. Sharing a story with your baby is a chance to relax and spend time together. It’s also a great way for babies…

  • 2 mins

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,…

  • 4 mins

World Book Night 2026 with Read Manchester

A staff member with free books, resources and banners for World Book Night at Wythenshawe Forum

Thursday 23rd April was World Book Night, the Reading Agency’s annual campaign which aims to celebrate and inspire reading for pleasure. As World Book Day encourages children to read, World Book Night promotes the too often overlooked benefits…

  • 3 mins

Nya the Train Dog Visits Central Library

Stephen O'Callaghan (a white man with gray hair and a beard) poses next to therapy dog Nya (a black German shepherd), a white child wearing glasses and a black hoodie, and a black child wearing a kaki jacket in Central Library's children library. Stephen is holding a copy of the picture book 'Nya the train dog'.​

Last Friday we had a really special guest in Manchester Central Library’s children library: children and parents were surprised and delighted to receive a visit from Nya, Transpennine Express (TPE)…

  • 1 min

Manchester Central Library Story Times

Two members of staff are sat in two big armchairs in the middle of the children library. They are each holding a copy of the same book, open on the same page, showing the page to children and parents in attendance. A big group of children and parents are lying or sat on the floor, listening to the two members of staff. In the background, the wall of the children library is decorated with a jungle-themed motif.

Get your little ones involved with The National Year of Reading by coming along to one of our free story times. Manchester Central Library offers a welcoming space for families…

  • 2 mins

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…

  • 3 mins

Festive Book Gifting 2025 with 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! We worked with a wide variety of different organisations, including: Food Banks…

  • 4 mins

Non-Fiction November with Read Manchester

A child reading a non-fiction book in the children's section at Manchester Central library

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…

  • 3 mins

What is Take 10 to Read?  

Reading is a great way to relax, boost your mood and escape the pressures of daily life. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take 10 minutes to read on Friday 10…

  • 3 mins

Baby Week 2025- Launch at Central Library 

On Monday 16 June, hundreds of buggies, prams and babes in arms flowed across St Peter’s Square between Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester Central Library as Manchester Baby Week 2025…

  • 1 min

Libraries Update – May 2025

Young person wearing a VR headset, with a Wallace and Gromit poster in the background

Digital Spaces VR Headsets are Coming to Manchester Libraries! Get ready to be amazed by our new collection of VR experiences right here in your local library. Supported by the…

  • 10 mins

FESTIVAL OF LIBRARIES LOOK FOR A BOOK, 27-30 May 

Manchester Libraries and Read Manchester are thrilled to be part of the Festival of Libraries Look for A Book activity again this year!  Five hundred copies of Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s…

  • 1 min