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…
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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,…
Announcing Quiet Storm as this year’s primary to high school Transition Read
Quiet Storm by Kimberly Whittam continues as Read Manchester's chosen Transition Read for the third year, gifting around 7,000 copies to new Year 7 students in September 2026.
May’s Full Volume Podcast
Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back for May with another fun-packed episode. Listen Here: Presenters Alan Lynch and his co-host Gary Parkinson – bring you all the…
Nya the Train Dog Visits Central Library
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)…
Assheton Archives and Archery -A Sports Day with A Difference!
The Assheton of Middleton project has had many exciting events over the past year and the most memorable was a sports day with a difference as we hosted the Assheton History and Archery…
Culture and Creativity at Manchester Libraries 2025-26
On 4th March 2026, Councillor John Hacking Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure and Neil MacInnes Head of Libraries, Galleries and Culture, took a report on Manchester Libraries to…
Manchester Central Library Story Times
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…
Donate your old tech at Manchester Libraries!
Did you receive a new device for Christmas? Don’t know what to do with your old tech? Instead of your old devices cluttering up your house, this new year you…
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…
Look back at the Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Read 2025 – Quiet Storm.
For the 2nd year the Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Read was Quiet Storm by local, award-winning author, Kimberly Whittam Home | Kimberly Whittam Author . The book was originally…
Central Library’s Big Language Celebration
On 13 September we were delighted to celebrate Manchester’s linguistic diversity with a wonderful event supported by Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. The celebration was part of…
Newton Heath Library hosts heritage exhibition of Bradford Road gasworks
Regular travellers up and down East Manchester’s Alan Turing Way and around the Etihad Stadium over the past three years have seen a huge change to the local landscape. The demolition…
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…
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…
Nearly 2 Miles of Yarn and 1000 Volunteer Hours: How Manchester Libraries Yarnbombed the Women’s Rugby World Cup
The Women’s Rugby World Cup is one of the most important fixtures in this year’s sport’s calendar, and Anna Putek, Delivery Assistant at Manchester Central Library, was thrilled when she…
Celebrating Creativity and Diversity: ‘See Myself in Books’ Bookmark Competition Winners Announced!
We are thrilled to announce the winners of our ‘See Myself in Books’ bookmark design competition, a vibrant celebration of creativity, identity, and inclusion across Manchester. As part of our ongoing campaign…
Watch Shane Hegarty, author of this year’s Early Years Transition Read introduce The One and Only You
We are delighted that The One and Only You by Shane Hegarty and illustrated by Ben Mantle is our Transition Read title for children starting Reception classes this September. The…
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…