Calling all Witches, Wizards and Muggles! It’s time to sign up to our spellbinding school of sorcery as you take a wacky and wonderful whistle stop tour of the Wizard Academy and learn to become an expert in mystery and magic. During this interactive experience you’ll take lessons in the basics of broomsticks, practice your […]
Come into Central Library to pick up your Trail map and plan your summer activities around our BookBenches! Venues across the city are hosting 58 BookBench sculptures - all decorated by local schools and community groups. Pick up a map and start ticking them off as you see them and get involved in the summer […]
Pop in and see this wonderful LEGO model of Central Library, which was built by Robert Clarkson for ‘Bricktastic’ at Manchester Convention Centre in 2015. It has been shown around the country and is here now, 'inside itself', in the Central Library Search Room, for a limited time only! Robert says: 'My hobby is creating […]
Join us for a fun afternoon of free family activities. Have a go at letterpress printing with images from the archives. Create your own wonderful prints to take home. The Architectural School for Children will be visiting to deliver a book-making workshop. Free - no need to book - just drop in
Join us for animal prints and book making fun! Have a go at letterpress printing with images from the archives. Create your own wonderful prints or take part in a book making workshop. Suitable for families with children aged 12 and under. Free - just drop in
Grab your nearest and dearest, put on your dancing shoes and join us as we celebrate with free family fun. Heritage Open Days – as part of this festival we are offering two behind-the-scenes tours. Find out how the North West Film Archive is saving the region’s filmed heritage and see their conservation and storage […]
Light up your Saturdays in October - take part in the Diwali lantern parade. Celebrate Dashehra Diwali Mela at our family lantern making workshops. Everyone at the workshops can take part in the main procession on Saturday 14 October. The procession will lead into the spectacular finale performance and firework display in Albert Square. Don’t […]
Manchester Central Library is proud to host a display inspired by the British Library's new exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic. From Friday 20 October 2017, visitors will be able to discover fascinating facts about the History of Magic at Manchester Central Library. Displays will launch simultaneously in 20 public libraries across the UK […]
Start your adventure here! This practical workshop introduces parents and children to the wonderful world of animation, and shows how to work together to create basic stop frame animation. What is the Family Learning Festival? It's a national celebration to mark and inspire a love of learning in family life. It takes place in October […]
Central Library is a mysterious, secret-filled place. Who knows what hidden knowledge lies between the pages of its many books? Read up on the spirit of scientific investigation and come find out for yourself, discovering how science has affected the story-lined corridors of Manchester Central Library over the centuries. Get elbow deep in moonrocks and […]
Darken the doors of Central Library for our spooky Halloween event. Dare to visit the creepy crypt and take part in a ghastly game, hear chilling rhymes from the creature in the corner and then take part in the trick or treat trail with your carefully crafted goody bag. Suitable for families No need to […]
To celebrate Explore Your Archive Week, join us to celebrate 120 years of the Disabled Living charity. Join us as we find out how the charity has changed over the years by using their archive images in a range of fun activities for all the family. Free - just drop in
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
