Out in the World - Exhibition & Closing Event Invite
2024-02-01 08:00 - 2024-02-29 17:00 UTC | First Floor
The Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester, is delighted to present Out In The World, an exhibition highlighting 12 stories from the vast yet largely untold history of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ diaspora.
Across the generations, Irish LGBTQ+ people have emigrated and found opportunities to live and love abroad. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, in partnership with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, are proud to play a role in illuminating this hidden history of Irish emigration.
Out In The World tells the story of the Irish LGBTQ+ diaspora across six themes – exclusion, community, love, defiance, solidarity, and return.
Free – please drop in

Special Closing Event Invite
The Consulate General of Ireland is delighted to invite you to the closing event for the Out In the World Exhibition celebrating the story of the Irish LGBTQ+ Diaspora
On Wednesday, 28 February, 17:30 – 19:30 in the Henry Watson Music Library, First Floor, Manchester Central Library
There will be a drinks reception on arrival, with a final chance to view the Out in the World exhibition.
This will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the LGBTQ+ Irish diaspora.
We will conclude with a musical performance by HUSK.

Town Hall Artisans, Trades and Treasures Display
2024-02-26 08:00 - 2024-06-29 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
Find out more about what’s happening to The Town Hall behind all that scaffolding and building wrap.

This display celebrates progress on our Town Hall’s restoration, showing some of the objects and discoveries uncovered so far, with a focus on some of the trades that are bringing twenty-first century conservation skills to the Victorian objects on display.

So, you can see a freshly restored oil painting of Manchester’s radical Mayor Abel Heywood, and some of the conservation materials used to repair the canvas and removed built-up dust and particulates.

Mosaic tesserae originally laid by Venetian craftsmen in the 1870s are on display with some of the tools of the trade being used by today’s artisans to renew them.

Beautiful stained and clear glass from the Town Hall’s ornate windows is also on show, as are bells and ropes and other gear from the building’s clock tower.

You’ll find these interesting displays on the first floor, to the left of the entrance to the Wolfson Reading Room until Saturday 29 June.
Free – please drop in

Coming in from the Cold: Taking Centre Stage Exhibition
2024-03-06 08:00 - 2024-04-30 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Link
An exhibition of Global Majority led community projects exploring stories of identity, loss, creativity, joy, our heritage, togetherness, resilience and journeys. Supported by The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust.
Free – drop in – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

Greater Mancunians Exhibition
2024-04-19 08:00 - 2024-06-29 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
The Manchester College presents Greater Mancunians – a student led, landmark photography project, seven years in the making. The exhibition celebrates people born and bred in Greater Manchester, or those who have made it their home and have in some way shaped the city and its surrounding boroughs, for the greater good. They include musicians, sportsmen and women, entertainers, entrepreneurs, politicians, actors, academics, comedians, artists and community champions – all photographed at a poignant or significant location of their choosing, and very much a celebration of the Mancunian spirit.
Why not take a look at BBC NW Tonight’s excellent review piece of the exhibition on Instagram before of after your visit or the exhibition taster on YouTube
Free – drop in – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

See My World: Connected Fragments
2024-07-15 08:00 - 2024-09-28 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
An international exchange exhibition bringing together the worlds of Nigerian diaspora artists Chigozie obi, Daniel Oyegade and Dou, as they crack and connect the mirrors of their heritage, history and culture. Through photography, paintings and film installations, the exhibition is an ode to what is alive within the mundane.
Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Responses
2024-07-18 08:00 - 2024-08-12 17:00
Foundation Art and Design Students from The Manchester College have brought the Art School’s ethos of research to the heart of Manchester Central Library’s iconic Wolfson Reading Room. Each student has developed a personal body of work which has initially been inspired by one of the books from the venue. The work on the boards exhibited are an insight into personal research and subject matter. Each student has tested the possibilities of ideas, research, and practical production. These fresh, innovative Art School Creatives will continue their practices in: painting, drawing, film, photography, textile design, animation, and site-specific work; progressing to different universities next year.
To see more exciting innovative work and research please follow the Instagram link below.
@foundationartanddesigntmc
If you would like information about the Foundation Diploma course, please email Fiona Donald: fdonald@tmc.ac.uk
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

A Northern Life - it's not all about Margaret
2024-07-26 09:00 - 2024-09-18 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
Lorraine Rudyard creates three-dimensional sculptures using recycled materials and vintage finds, encapsulated in story boxes. Her work is very Northern and what you will see are closely observed people and lots of lovely details and references to Lorraine’s childhood, i.e. a budgie in a cage named Monty, a bathroom scene with fish wall-paper that are memories from her grandmother’s house. Other story boxes include Lorraine’s favourite poem ‘The Jumblies’ by Edward Lear and other references to childhood literature.
Lorraine’s work was accepted for both the 2020 and the 2022 Manchester Open Exhibitions: Everyone’s an Artist. Her 2020 piece, ‘Have you Been Anywhere Nice?’, sold to a private collector. Another one of her artworks was selected for The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art in 2022, and another artwork in 2022 was selected for The Harley Gallery Open Call. More recently ‘Please Come to My Party, Pleeese ?’ was selected for the Bury Art Museum Open Call.
You can’t miss Our Margaret – Lorraine’s muse, spot Margaret by her huge smile, sunglasses, shopping trolly and umbrella, whatever the weather or occasion. Viewers especially like Margaret’s stories, which are often hinted at by the title of the picture connecting their own stories to the pictures. Lorraine says, ‘I love Margaret- she is a joy to create. I like the idea that I can make something from nothing and the treasures I find can live on, connecting my pictures to the past. My hope is that you as a viewer will appreciate the playfulness of my work – that it will put a smile on your face as well as appeal to your senses for a lost way of life.’
To date, Lorraine has completed several commissions including a piece of legacy art, ‘A Grand Day Out’, that was commissioned by Heritage Schools for Central Library. Lorraine also has many collectors of her artwork up and down the country.
A full catalogue of her work can be found @lorrainerudyard_mixedmediaart
Please direct all inquiries to lorrainerudyard-art @outlook.com
Free – drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Migration Stories North West Exhibition & Preview
2024-10-03 08:00 - 2024-11-08 17:00 | Lwr Ground Floor – Manchester Histories Hub
A history of migration in and out of North West England told through 100 stories from Roman times to the present day.
Explore the region’s long history of migration and ways in which it has shaped and continues to shape our social landscape. Browse the stories of individual women, men and children arriving in and leaving the North West from and to other parts of the British Isles and other parts of the world. Find out how their journeys were driven by conflict, colonialism and trade, as well as in search of work, educational opportunities or a better life.
This ‘pop-up’ exhibition includes an interactive screen through which to browse the stories, and is touring across the North West of England. At this showing in Manchester Central Library there will also be a display by pupils and staff from The Derby High School in Bury about the stories which they researched and produced for the Greater Manchester section of the project.
The Migration Stories Exhibition’s showing in Manchester is presented by Crossing Footprints in partnership with Manchester Histories. Special thanks for support from Manchester Central Library, from our Manchester team of volunteer researchers, and from Fair Futures CIC who delivered the school workshops in Bury. More about the project here or browse the project’s own dedicated website
Free – please drop in

Preview / Launch for the Migration Stories Exhibition, 4pm to 7pm, Wednesday 2 October
Join us for an informal opportunity to hear about the Migration Stories North West project and to chat with people who were involved in the research. People from Crossing Footprints, Global Link and Fair Futures, who were involved in developing, organising and delivering the project, will also be on hand to discuss any aspects of the work and the contexts in which it was produced. There will be a brief introduction to the project at 4.45pm and again at 6pm. Light refreshments will be provided.
About the project The Migration Stories North West project is a partnership of five organisations across the North West who have worked over a period of three years with local adults and young people, including those with experience of migration or seeking refuge. Forming into five teams of volunteers and five school groups, they have researched and documented over 100 individual histories of migration using archival, online and oral history sources. They are now available to explore on an interactive online map, along with background information, educational resources and introductory films about the project. More information here. The organisations are Global Link based in Lancaster, Crossing Footprints covering the Greater Manchester region, Liverpool World Centre, Cumbria Development Education Centre and Cheshire Global Learning. The project is supported by historians at Lancaster University and local heritage organisations, and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Free – please drop in

Our Town Hall – Portraits of a Workforce
2024-10-18 08:00 - 2025-06-28 17:00 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Our latest first-floor exhibition comes courtesy of the team currently working on the Our Town Hall Project to repair, renovate and refurbish Manchester’s iconic Town Hall.
Extraordinarily little is known about the artisans who built the Town Hall between 1868 and 1877, and certainly no photographs exist.
But fast-forward 150 years and today’s skilled workers are no strangers to the lens of Manchester City Council photographer Barrie Leach. As well as physical progress, Barrie’s been capturing portraits of those working on the Town Hall since the beginning of the project to repair, restore and refurbish this much-loved building.
As well as modern construction workers and behind-the-scenes staff, there are some incredible heritage trades involved. Stonemasonry, mosaic making, stained glass repair and manufacture, horology: these are all crafts that would have been widespread in the 1870s but are now very much specialist – and rare – trades. They are, however, critical to our restoration project.
Alongside the words of the workers themselves, 30 large portraits and 60 contextual images show the pride this modern team has discovered in being able to lovingly restore, and give new life to, the work of the forgotten workforce who went before them.
Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Manchester Theatres Exhibition
2024-10-28 08:00 - 2025-01-31 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
Visit this latest exhibition showcasing items from our unique archive, including playbills, programmes, posters and other memorabilia, dating from the 18th century to the present day and documenting the vibrant history of theatre in Manchester.
Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Chapters in Change
2025-01-13 08:00 - 2025-03-29 17:00 | Ground Floor (Oculus Area)
The images in this display, in the oculus area on the Ground Floor, are from TiPP projects working in partnership with regional Youth Justice Services. They capture movements of creativity by some of society’s most underserved communities.
This project fosters collaboration between professional artists and young people, promoting connections between young people and the environment. They capture moments of reflection, vibrancy, creativity and growth and offer moments of reflection and calm.
TiPP delivers inclusive, creative arts sessions for some of society’s most underserved communities, supporting personal development and growth through participation. Their work seeks to foster human connection and demonstrate that everyone has something valuable to say.
Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Central Library: Ten Years of Success
2025-01-20 08:00 - 2025-03-01 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
In 2024, Manchester Central Library celebrated ten years since its major transformation, and 90 years since its grand opening by King George V on 17 July 1934. This display in the Wolfson Reading Room celebrates it’s many achievements and successes over those ten years.
As the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Manchester’s libraries, and one of the most loved and iconic venues in the city, Central Library boasts services and facilities that are appreciated by over 2million people annually. Central Library is an inclusive and dynamic space that appeals to families, children and young people, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs, culture vultures, archivists, students, musicians and traditional library visitors. Since its relaunch in 2014, we have continued to innovate and develop new ways of providing a high-quality, modern and vibrant library offer for residents and visitors to the city.
Free – drop in – please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in the venue, or online

Tony Lloyd Exhibition
2025-02-24 08:00 - 2025-06-30 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
An insightful exhibition in memory of Sir Tony Lloyd (1950-2024) – a popular politician who represented three different constituencies in the Greater Manchester area for a total of 36 years across five decades. He served as the country’s first Police and Crime Commissioner before becoming the first Mayor of Greater Manchester, returning to Parliament in 2017 as the member for Rochdale. Proudly supported by the Communication Workers Union, Clayton Hall Living History Museum and Manchester City Council.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

aAh! Magazine X Lights Up Exhibition
2025-03-03 08:00 - 2025-03-29 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
In 2024, Manchester was crowned the first ever European Capital of Cycling, recognising the city’s commitment to making cycling safer and more accessible for all. As part of International Women’s Day, the aAh! Magazine X Lights Up Exhibition celebrates the achievements of women in cycling and explores themes of women’s empowerment, inclusivity, representation and visibility on our roads and beyond.
Following the success of the Lights Up night time bike ride in November, which saw 180 women take to the streets to raise awareness about issues in cycling, this exhibition continues the conversation about empowerment, representation, safety, and visibility – both on the road and in public spaces.
Presented by aAh! Magazine, Manchester Metropolitan University’s arts and culture student magazine, the exhibition features work from student writers, journalists, designers, illustrators, and photographers. Through storytelling and visual art, it reflects on cycling as a tool for freedom, independence, and self-expression, amplifying the voices of women reclaiming urban spaces and finding community.
The Lights Up campaign, organised in partnership with Bee Pedal Ready, Station South, Manchester Metropolitan University, We Are Cycling UK, MCRActive, TfGM, and Starling Bikes, raises awareness of women’s safety while cycling, particularly as winter approaches and fewer women take to the roads.
Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Our Lives, Our Privacy
2025-04-01 08:00 - 2025-06-30 17:00 | First Floor
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is marking its 40th anniversary with an exhibition of 40 items, showing how privacy and information rights have played a pivotal role at prominent times during the past four decades.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Manc Holes and Beyond Exhibition
2025-04-10 08:00 - 2025-06-27 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
The Manchester Manhole Collective is proud to present Manc Holes and Beyond, the world’s first exhibition celebrating the art and design of manhole & drain covers. These well-trodden yet often overlooked works of art that adorn the streets, roads & pavements of Manchester and beyond.
Amaze at how these heavy industrial designs exemplify art at the heart of cities and towns and witness how they have inspired individuals to photograph, paint, write poems & books, create ceramics, make films and produce interior designs such as fabrics and wallpapers. Our hope is to encourage people to seek out these urban art forms, engage their imaginations, be inspired, and join community of operculists knowing that creative activities help improve mental health and wellbeing.
Whilst creative pursuits help improve mental health and wellbeing, the services of charities in the arena of mental health are indispensable. As such, The Manchester Manhole Collective, encourage individuals to support We are Survivors, the Manchester based charity that offers help male survivors of sexual abuse.
Free – please drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Real Contentment Exhibition
2025-06-02 10:00 - 2025-06-17 17:00
Exploring the natural world through literature and between UK and China, this exhibition is a culmination of a nine month project that forges a lasting connection between the UNESCO Cities of Literature and of Lifelong Learning.
Free – drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

ACTING UP!
2025-08-26 08:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00
ACTING UP! tells the story of 40 years of HIV activism in the region through archives, testimonies and films. The exhibition honours the memories of lives lost and continues the fight for a world free of HIV stigma and discrimination.
Visit the exhibition in the ground floor of Central Library from 2 April till 31 December 2025, with a special display in the first floor Reading Room until 31 May 2025.
Acting Up! is organised by George House Trust, a charity which provides support, advice, information and advocacy services to people living with HIV in Greater Manchester and the wider North West.
The exhibition is part of ‘40 years of HIV Activism in Greater Manchester’, a project marking 40 years of George House Trust and the broader regional response to HIV.
Free – please drop in.
Please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Piccadilly Radio Archive: Nobody Did It Better!
2025-08-26 08:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00 | Ground Floor
Explore the history of independent radio in Manchester from the birth of Piccadilly Radio in 1974 through to Key 103’s 1990s heyday. This free exhibition tells the story of the DJs, programme makers and listeners through audio, photography and ephemera. Listen to clips from your favourite DJs, find out what it was like to work at the station and learn about how the station’s archive is being cared for and digitised by the Archives+ team. Over 750 Piccadilly Radio shows are now available to listen on Central Library’s Sound + Vision pods.
The project was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. It was supported by Manchester Libraries Trust.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Punk: The Art of Rebellion
2025-08-26 08:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00 | First Floor Display Cases
A new exhibition explores how punk exploded from the streets of 1970s Britain – raw, loud, and unapologetic. Born of crisis, it raged against capitalism, racism, and conformity. Through music, fashion, protest, and art, punk gave voice to the voiceless, challenged gender roles, and still shapes culture today.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

LGBT Foundation’s 50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy Exhibition
2025-08-26 08:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room and Lower Ground Floor
2025 marks 50 years of queer hope and joy for LGBT Foundation—and the heart of the celebrations begins in the centre of Manchester.
Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and proudly sponsored by Barefoot Wine, the 50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy Exhibition at Manchester Central Library invites the public into a powerful, moving, and often joyful journey through the stories that shaped five decades of LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester and beyond.
From never-before-seen archive materials and oral histories to community artefacts and campaign posters, the exhibition showcases the resilience, resistance, and creativity of LGBTQ+ people across generations. Whether you’re rediscovering the past or encountering it for the first time, this in-person exhibition places the lived experiences of queer people at the heart of the narrative.
The 50 Years of Queer Hope and Joy Exhibition is open to the public on the Lower Ground Floor at the entrance to City Library, and in the Wolfson Reading Room on the First Floor till 31 December 2025.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

From Page to Stage: 20 Years of Manchester Literature Festival
2025-09-12 08:00 - 2025-12-16 17:00 | Wolfson Reading Room
Feast your eyes on two decades of literary magic with From Page to Stage, a photographic exhibition celebrating Manchester Literature Festival’s 20th anniversary. This intimate collection of photos charts the Festival’s journey from its early days to becoming one of the UK’s most distinctive literary events. Through striking images, we revisit the unforgettable moments and remarkable voices that have shaped the Festival – from award-winning novelists and poets, to leading songwriters and musicians, activists and change-makers.
Featuring brilliant photos of homegrown favourites Lemn Sissay, Jeanette Winterson, Jackie Kay and Simon Armitage alongside much loved cultural figures Johnny Marr, Guy Garvey, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Vivienne Westwood, these images tell a story of inspired ideas, playful conversations and communities brought together. From intimate readings to bold, genre-defying events, the exhibition captures the energy, diversity and creativity that defines Manchester Literature Festival.
Come and join us in celebrating 20 years of bringing literature to life.
Image copyright: Jon Parker Lee.
Free – drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Libraries 175: Celebrating 175 years of the Public Libraries Act 1850
2025-09-22 08:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00 | First Floor
Pop in and view this fascinating exhibition at Central Library – Libraries 175: Celebrating 175 years of the Public Libraries Act 1850.
175 years ago the Public Libraries Act was passed, which allowed Local Authorities to raise taxes to fund free public libraries. The borough of Manchester was the first borough in the country to open a free public library under the new Public Libraries Act. Manchester Free Library opened on 6th September 1852 at Campfield.
Commenting on the exhibition, Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said:
‘Libraries are more than books and always have been. They play an important role at the heart of our communities, providing huge opportunities for learning and community engagement. The legacy of the Public Libraries Act reminds us that we need to keep investing in these vital spaces and adapting them to make them relevant for the communities they serve. Libraries have always been places of inspiration which is why they deserve our continued support.’
Neil MacInnes, OBE, Head of Service, Libraries, Galleries and Culture said:
‘Manchester has a proud history of investing in its libraries. We work hard to ensure they remain relevant to our communities, adapting and changing to the current needs and we will continue to look after and promote libraries for future generations. They are and will continue to be the heart and soul of learning, development and nourishment and long may they remain so.’
Free – please drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Architecture for the People - Exhibition
2025-11-07 - 2026-03-30 | First Floor Exhibition Hall
Architecture for the People
Manchester City Architect’s Department, 1902-2003
For 101 years, the City Architect’s Department in the Town Hall served the citizens and met diverse civic needs by designing hundreds of different municipal buildings. They ranged from grand airport terminals to the small public lavatories, from the high profile like the new Free Trade Hall to the hidden away but essential facilities like mortuaries.
For the first time, this exhibition presents a selection of the works delivered under the direction of the seven official City Architects spanning across the twentieth century. In the early days of the Department, Manchester Corporation controlled gas and electricity undertakings, most public transport, schools, police, fire and ambulance services, waste collection, parks and recreation, housing, libraries, crematoriums and more. Such responsibilities meant a need for new buildings and the upkeep of existing facilities. The City Architect’s Department designed and delivered these, changing the face of the city and its suburbs, providing thousands of new homes, and scores of schools, libraries, public baths, amongst a host of civic buildings. Using archival photographs, drawings and ephemera, the exhibition traces the Department and its buildings, showing how architectural commissions mirrored the constitution of the Corporation and the changing fortunes of the city.
Curated by Martin Dodge (University of Manchester) and Richard Brook (Lancaster University)
Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Stroboscopic Synergy
2025-11-22 08:00 - 2025-12-13 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Photographer Tracey Welch and five musicians from diverse musical backgrounds come together in an exploration of photography and music. A fascinating collaborative project and exhibition, inspiring new connections, shared experience and experimental composition.
In 2022, photography and music came together in the Stroboscopic Project, an exploration of photographic technique and musical inspiration. Such was its success, the project has continued to evolve and its latest incarnation, Stroboscopic Synergy is about to emerge, in the form of new visuals, cross genre musical composition and a documentary film. Un-Convention Manchester will be the first opportunity to view the latest still images from the project, featuring musicians Leonore Wheatley (vocals and synth), Inder Goldfinger (Tabla), Rich Westley (drums), Charlotte Cartwright (piano and vocals) and James Adrian Brown (guitar). The exhibition will then move to Manchester’s Central Library, where visitors will also get an insight into the stop motion style moving imagery and music.
Stroboscopic Synergy has once again attracted support from Arts Council England. Photographer Tracey Welch, who co-founded the project with drummer Rich Westley (Reverend and the Makers) feels this underlines the creative value of their latest collaboration:
“The artists involved in Stroboscopic Synergy are from really diverse musical backgrounds. The stop motion style of photography enables them to reflect on their performance in a really unique way. This, in
turn, inspires musical experimentation and an exchange of creative ideas. It has been really fascinating to document the process in film”. The collaboration culminated in a studio session where artists came together to develop and deliver a completely new, organic composition. “We’re excited to share the new, stroboscopic images in Manchester, alongside some of the music and some stop-motion style film. Like the musicians, I’m learning from the experience and inspired by the energy and creativity the project has generated.”
Free please drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

The Great Hall Exhibition
2025-11-26 08:00 - 2026-07-31 17:00 | Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
Manchester Town Hall closed in January 2018 and work then began on a labour of love: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to repair, protect and update this architectural masterpiece for future generations. The Great Hall is the Town Hall’s centrepiece. It includes a huge variety of conservation and restoration projects and is a great example of the work we’re doing throughout the building. Our approach to the unique elements of this space reflects the level of care needed for the whole project. This exhibition looks at just three details of the Great Hall to tell some of the story of the Our Town Hall project.

Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Funny Stuff – Exhibition
2026-01-12 08:00 - 2026-02-28 17:00 | Ground Floor
A creative and humorous response to grief, memories and the stuff we accumulate, hoard and hate to let go, from Manchester comedy legend, Lipservice Theatre Company.
Sue Ryding is one half of legendary comedy duo LipService. In 2022 her comedy partner Maggie Fox died and Sue was left with a shipping container full of stage props, costumes, wigs, hats, shoes, sheep, you name it. This exhibition looks at all the “stuff” we accumulate, hoard and hate to let go.
In this humorous and creative response to grief, Sue struggles to part with a life sized stuffed sheep, a badger onesie, some ruby slippers, a sinking bog, Charlotte Bronte’s knickers and a host of soft toys.
Touring anecdotes are combined with archive footage from LipService shows. We follow the stories of things Sue has already given away, the wicker horse that appeared every night in an improvised panto, the vintage suitcases turned into a sculpture in Stockport, the crazy Chief Exec of the Tall Ships Festival who dresses up as a fish! Not all the items will be making it back up the loft ladder, so the audience is invited to take something home.
Sue is aiming to end up with “the right stuff”, a small selection that captures the essence of LipService Theatre to go into a national theatre collection. Help Sue on her journey of letting go.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

My Voice Travelling Exhibition
2026-01-19 08:00 - 2026-02-20 17:00 | First Floor
Manchester Central Library and The Fed’s My Voice Project are proud to announce the launch of the My Voice Travelling Exhibition – a powerful public showcase of Holocaust Survivor life stories that have shaped Greater Manchester.

The exhibition forms a key part of the Sanctuary Through Story: Inspiring Unity After Hate initiative and brings to life the extraordinary testimonies of Survivors who rebuilt their lives in Greater Manchester. Their stories – rooted in courage, resilience, gratitude and hope – offer visitors a deeply meaningful educational experience.

The exhibition helps people of all ages explore:

The dangers of prejudice and antisemitism
The importance of empathy, respect and moral responsibility
How diversity strengthens communities
Why rejecting hate is essential for a safe and cohesive Manchester

This launch is especially significant following the Heaton Park Synagogue terrorist attack, offering a space where communities can come together, reflect and reinforce Manchester’s commitment to unity, understanding and compassion.

The Travelling Exhibition will ensure these vital lessons reach people of all ages.
Free – please drop in

Bridge of Sunflowers - Exhibition
2026-01-24 08:00 - 2026-02-26 17:00 | Ground Floor and Reading Room
Drop by the Reading and Ground Floor Oculus area to see this compelling 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 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.
Free please drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

VR Headset Experiences
2026-02-04 11:00 - 2026-02-07 19:00 | Ground Floor
For three weeks in February, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences.
Get ready for brand new immersive experiences with David Attenborough, and Laika – The First Dog In Space. Plus, Wallace & Gromit, The Berlin Blitz, Vaughan Williams’ ‘The Lark Ascending’, meditation experiences, and more.
Manchester Libraries are one of nine library services in England to take part in Digital Spaces, an innovative collaboration to enhance digital engagement and accessibility in libraries. This ambitious new programme is in association with Arts Council England, BFI, awarding National Lottery funding and The Space.
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 FREE public drop-in sessions at Manchester Central Library (4-7 Feb), Abraham Moss Library (9-14 Feb), and Wythenshawe Forum (17-20 Feb).
Across the three weeks, visitors to these libraries will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an array of awe-inspiring virtual worlds featuring some familiar faces, plus leap into some brand new experiences too. Amongst the thrilling programme of VR offerings, the experiences on offer will include:

**New** Hold the World with Sir David Attenborough: Embark on a ground-breaking interactive VR tour of the Natural History Museum in London with the most iconic of guides. Sir David, who was filmed by more than 100 cameras and digitally recreated as a lifelike SD hologram for the experience, acts as a private guide, imparting his expert knowledge on rare objects from †he museum’s collection, including a blue whale, a stegosaurus, and more. Get hands-on with rare specimens from its world-famous collection, and experience priceless artefacts coming back to life.

Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway: Step into the shoes (and paws) of the legendary Aardman duo as they blast-off on a cracking new adventure that will take you from the familiar sights of West Wallaby Street to the strange surroundings of deep space. An interactive treat – all in glorious VR-O-Rama!

**New** Laika – Witness one of the most poignant true stories in history with Laika, an immersive VR short film from BAFTA and Academy Award-winning director Asif Kapadia. Adapted from Nick Abadzis’ acclaimed graphic novel, Laika will transport you to the dawn of the Space Age as it tells the story of an unwanted stray dog who became Earth’s first space traveller.

The Philharmonia Virtual Orchestra – The Lark Ascending: Experience a mesmerising 360-degree performance of Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece featuring Nicola Benedetti.

Monoliths: Explore England’s northern landscape through the voices and spoken word of three women, in this poignant XR experience by Pilot Theatre and One to One Development Trust.

Berlin Blitz: 80 years on from VE Day, travel back in time to experience this especially tense period of WWII history from a seat in the cockpit of a Lancaster Bomber. Hold tight.

Phase Space: Escape from the hustle and bustle of life, with this calming, restorative and meditative experience. Feel calmer and more in control in just 7 minutes.

The VR headset experiences arrive as part of Manchester Libraries recently announced participation in the new Libraries Digital Network, a ground-breaking collaboration with eight other library services, including: Bradford, Cambridgeshire, Coventry, Leeds, Newham, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, and Sunderland. This innovative network is the first of its kind, uniquely combining local relevance with national impact. It aims to empower our local community and is supported by comprehensive training for our colleagues, who will guide our networks on exciting digital journeys.
The Digital Spaces VR headsets will be freely available to the public to experience in a series of open drop-in sessions throughout February.
Come along to a session at these dates and times as follows:
Wednesday 4 Feb – Drop-In Sessions @ Central Library

Drop-In Session [10.00 – 12.00]

Drop-In Session [13.00 – 15.00]

Drop-In Session [16.00 – 18.00]

Thursday 5 Feb – Drop-In Sessions @ Central Library

Drop-In Session [10.00 – 12.00]

Drop-In Session [13.00 – 15.00]

Drop-In Session [16.00 – 18.00]

Friday 6 Feb – Drop-In Sessions @ Central Library

Drop-In Session [9.00 – 11.00]

Drop-In Session [12.00 – 14.00]

Drop-In Session [15.00 – 16.45]

Saturday 7 Feb – Drop-In Sessions @ Central Library

Drop-In Session [10.00 – 12.00]

Drop-In Session [14.00 – 16.00]

Monday 9 Feb – Sessions @ Abraham Moss Library

Drop-In Session [Afternoon] – Ask staff for details

Tuesday 10 Feb – Sessions @ Abraham Moss Library

Drop-In Session [Afternoon] – Ask staff for details

Wednesday 11 Feb – Sessions @ Abraham Moss Library

Drop-In Session [Afternoon] – Ask staff for details

Friday 13 Feb – Sessions @ Abraham Moss Library

Drop-In Session [Afternoon] – Ask staff for details

Saturday 14 Feb – Sessions @ Abraham Moss Library

Drop-In Sessions – Ask staff for details

Tuesday 17 Feb – Sessions at Wythenshawe Forum Library Creative Space

Drop-In Sessions – Ask staff for details

Wednesday 18 Feb – Sessions at Wythenshawe Forum Library Creative Space

Drop-In Sessions – Ask staff for details

Thursday 19 Feb – Sessions at Wythenshawe Forum Library Creative Space

Drop-In Sessions – Ask staff for details

Friday 20 Feb – Sessions at Wythenshawe Forum Library Creative Space

Drop-In Sessions – Ask staff for details

All sessions are free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
