Library Live

Dashehra Diwali Mela: Lantern making workshops
2018-10-13 11:00 - 16:00 UTC | City Library
Make a fabulous lantern for Dashehra Diwali Mela celebrations at these free family workshops. All those taking part in either workshop will join the main procession onSaturday 20 October, leading into the spectacular finale performance and firework display in Albert Square. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting event!

For families with children aged 7+

Two workshops between 11am-1.30pm and 2-4pm

(Please only book a ticket if you can attend the Diwali Lantern Parade on Saturday 20 October).

Free – booking required

Workshop 1: 11am-1.30pm Book here
Workshop 2: 2-4pm Book here

Dashehra Diwali Mela: Lantern making workshops
2018-10-20 11:00 - 16:00 | City Library
Make a fabulous lantern for Dashehra Diwali Mela celebrations at these free family workshops. All those taking part in either workshop will join the main procession onSaturday 20 October, leading into the spectacular finale performance and firework display in Albert Square. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting event!

For families with children aged 7+

Two workshops between 11am-1.30pm and 2-4pm
Free – booking required
(Please only book a ticket if you can also attend the Diwali Lantern Parade on Saturday 20 October).

Workshop 1: 11am-1.30pm Book here
Workshop 2: 2-4pm Book here

Science@Central
2018-10-23 11:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Drop in to Central Library for the day and experience the thrill of science. From doodle pens to getting hands on some of our amazing treasures there will be so much to do.
Free family event – just drop in

Ibn Al-Haytham: Mysteries of How We See
2018-10-23 11:00 - 2018-10-24 20:00, 2018-10-26 11:00 - 20:00, 2018-10-27 11:00 - 17:00 | Performance Space
Celebrate Manchester Science Festival and join 1001 Inventions to discover the world of 11th century Arabian scientist, Ibn Al-Haytham. Watch legendary actor Omar Sharif in an exciting short film, explore how we see with a camera obscura and engage in fun demonstrations of light, optics and vision.
Suitable for ages 7+
Free family event – just drop in

Junior Jam: Rock 'n' Roll Ukuleles
2018-10-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Children’s Library
Free jam-packed music session for children aged 4-8. Help your little ones develop their musical skills in a fun, friendly and accessible way. Presented by creative music charity Brighter Sound and led by Kabantu – a quintet of award-winning musicians and music educators, known for their infectious rhythms and beautiful melodies from around the globe.
Become a ukulele rock star! Strike a power chord and play along to songs from the super-cool sixties with Ben and Ali.
Two 50-minute sessions at 10am and 11am
For more information contact info@brightersound.com or phone 0161 830 3899
Supported by Youth Music as part of the Alliance for a Musically Inclusive England. The project is made possible by funding from the National Lottery via Arts Council England.
Free – booking required

Family Halloween Party
2018-10-27 19:00 - 2018-10-28 00:00
Dare you spend a spooky evening inside Central Library? We are opening our doors for a very special Halloween Party!
We’ve heard rumours that Dracula and his Bride will be wandering the corridors preparing for their Fiendish Feast!
After the Fiendish Feast why not do the ‘Monster Mash’ with Frankenstein’s Monster and Mr Pumpkin Head at our creepy Silent Disco. If you fancy a break from dancing you can snuggle down and watch a spooky film or get crafty with creepy activities.
This event is aimed at children aged 7-11 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are £2.99 per child. Free entry for adult’s accompanying children.
FANCY DRESS ENCOURAGED!

Saturday Spectacular: World War One Remembered
2018-11-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
An afternoon for all with a talk on Manchester Hill, a chance to handle original World War One archives with Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society, find out about the family history DNA project and arts and crafts for families.
Free – please drop in

Manchester Print Fair: Winter Fair
2018-11-24 10:30 - 16:15 | Performance Space
Join Manchester Print Fair for a day of shopping from local independent makers, fun and festive workshops for all the family, curated by partners G.F SMITH papers, and sit for 3 Minute Portraits from Fred Aldous!

Christmas Extravaganza
2018-12-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Get your festive season underway with our annual family extravaganza. Listen to a fantastic line-up of local choirs and bands, create your own Christmas crafts and enjoy a mince pie with us. Performances and activities galore, and Father Christmas will be here!
Free – please drop in

Saturday Take Over
2019-01-19 12:00 - 16:00
It’s a children’s take over today! Manchester school children have chosen a Victorian and Time Travelling theme for the activities and content for our popular January family spectacular. Pop in and join us for free family fun. We’re sure you’re going to love it!
Free – please drop in

Holocaust Memorial Day 2019
2019-01-27 12:00 - 16:00
On this day of reflection we will be screening the UK Premier of the film, Who Will Write Our History, which tells the story of historian Emanuel Ringelblum who defied his captors to ensure the Oyneg Shabes archive would survive the war. Performances by young people throughout the afternoon and family activity sessions based around this year’s theme, ‘Torn from Home’.
Film screenings start at 12.30pm and 2.15pm
Free – please drop in

Chinese New Year Celebration
2019-02-10 12:00 - 16:00
Come and welcome in the Year of the Pig at Central Library!
Beginning with a Lion Dance at the front of the Library to let the new year in, there will be music and dance performances, and a demonstration of the Chinese Tea Ceremony. Plus we have lots of crafts and activities for you to try, all of them free!
Free – just drop in

Clore Art Studio Costume Factory
2019-02-18 13:00 - 2019-02-19 15:00 | Lower Ground Floor Link
In preparation for World Book Day on the 7 March, let us help you get your character ideas flowing and costumes started! Come along for inspiration and assistance in designing, cutting and stitching felt masks, headdresses and logos to bring your Gruffalos and Gangsta Grannies to life.
Costume Factory sessions will also take place at Manchester Art Gallery.
Free – please drop in

International Women's Day – Family Event
2019-03-09 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us to celebrate International Women’s Day with an afternoon of free activities for families. Pop in and enjoy a range of craft making, watch films and see some of our amazing archives, created by famous suffragettes.
Free – please drop in

Saturday Spectacular - Game Changers Project
2019-04-13 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
For our latest Saturday Spectacular family event we welcome the Game Changers project which has taken place in all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities over the past few months. There will be lots to see and lots to do, including crafts with a Women’s Suffrage theme.
Young people across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester will come together to recreate the Women’s Bazaar of 1912, as part of a project to empower them to become campaigners of the future.
The Game Changers project, which has been made possible with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is exploring the Suffragists movement – helping the youngsters learn about the peaceful methods they used to campaign – unlike the more militant and more famous Suffragettes.
The young people have created artwork as a tribute to the suffragists including banners, sashes and posters that will be on display at the library, along with stalls and showcasing their talents in a performance and mock debate – to recreate the historical event.
Frances Nutt, Artistic Director at Tandem Theatre, based in Salford, who is running the Game Changer project, said: “The high-profile role of Emmeline Pankhurst and the more militant activities of the Suffragettes can sometimes overshadow others who campaigned for women’s suffrage.
“We wanted to highlight the lesser known Suffragists, who used law abiding methods to campaign, to be an inspiration to young women today, as campaigning for women’s rights is still as relevant.
“The young people have enjoyed attending art workshops and skills workshops to help them become effective campaigners and leaders of the future by building self-esteem, social skills, confidence and raising aspirations and are looking forward to the taking part the event at Central Library.”
For more information on the project go to https://tandemtheatre.com/game-changers/
Suitable for families
Free – just drop in

What was the Peterloo Massacre?
2019-04-17 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for this interactive role playing family event exploring what happened in the lead up to the protest. Make banners, sing ballads, and choose a side. There will be a role for everyone taking part!
Suitable for all ages
No need to book – just drop in

Charles Hallé Celebration
2019-04-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
We celebrate 200 years since the birth of Anglo-German pianist and conductor Charles Hallé, founder of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester. Join us for a film screening, family crafts, afternoon tea and much more.
Suitable for all ages
No need to book – just drop in

Polish Heritage Day
2019-05-04 14:00 - 16:30 | Performance Space
Join the Friends of Polish Veterans Association (SPPW) Manchester to celebrate Polish Heritage Day. There will be a special screening of the Polish history film, The Last Witness, plus Q&A with the film director, Piotr Szkopiak. Polish food will be available to sample, plus craft activities, Polish family history research and a selection of books and DVDs about Poland’s WWII history. Join us and celebrate our shared history and culture!
Free event, suitable for all ages 2-4pm (except film – 15 years min age)
Please book free tickets for the film screening below.

Saturday Morning Kids TV
2019-05-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Performance Space
Whilst the array of choice and ways we can watch TV obviously has its benefits, sitting down to watch TV as a family has faded in recent years. Back in Season 2, Pilot Light TV Festival started their throwback Saturday Morning Kids TV events which were a blast! The idea was simply to show up in your PJ’s, tuck into some cereal and watch some great kids TV. This year for Season 4, they are teaming up with CBeebies & CBBC to present a morning of Kids TV for the whole family to enjoy!
During the first half of the event we’ll be hanging out with CBeebies finest in Clangers, Numberblocks, Timmy Time, My Petsaurus, Olobob Top, Pabloand Tinpo! After a quick break we’ll be back with some great episodes from CBBC shows Shaun the Sheep, Scream Street, Dennis & Gnasher and the return of Tracy Beaker in The Dumping Ground!
Set your alarms, get your PJ’s on and join us for a whole morning of the best Kids TV courtesy of CBBC and CBeebies at Central Library!
Admission is free – pre-booking to secure your place is advised!

Saturday Spectacular - Made in Manchester poem celebration
2019-05-18 12:00 - 16:00 | City Library
Come and get creative with artist Emma Martin as we celebrate the Made in Manchester poem by creating an artwork sculpture. The soon-to-be-launched poem is inspired by all things Manchester and has been written in dozens of community languages. Emma has used this to work with over 2700 children from 9 schools to make some fabulous artwork. Today you can come and help transform this into an amazing sculpture which will be displayed in Central Library for all to see.

Saturday Spectacular: When I Was a Child
2019-05-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
To celebrate the Get Creative Festival, join us for an afternoon of inter-generational family activities. Why not share some of your skills or have a go at creating vintage inspired crafts. Bring all the family for a chance to create something fantastic together.
Suitable for all ages
Free-please drop in

People’s Landscapes – Unearthing Passion and Protest
2019-07-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Developed out of their work at local National Trust properties with a connection to Peterloo, artists Grace Surman, Gary Winters and their children will lead a creative family workshop exploring ideas around collective action, democracy and children’s rights. Expect craft-based activities, discussion on what you think matters, personalised portraits and banging a drum.
This commission has been supported using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and with additional support from Art Fund.
This event is part of the National Trust’s People’s Landscapes programme, exploring the role our own places have played in social change.
This is a family event, all children to be accompanied by a participating parent/adult.
Part of Trust New Art, the National Trust’s programme of contemporary arts
Learn more about Peterloo and the National Trust
Learn more about People’s Landcapes
Learn more about the two new films are inspired by protest, rights and responsibilities
Drop in sessions: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
The drop-in events begin on the hour and last for approximately 40minutes.
Free – booking recommended

Saturday Spectacular
2019-07-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Media Lounge
Join us to make posters to mark the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre using pens, inks and quills. Join in with our board game challenge and much more.
Free – please drop in

Peterloo Poems by Manchester People
2019-08-06 14:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join us for this special event where we’ll have poets reading their own poems on the themes of Peterloo, with an audience to cheer them on.
Or if you are a mum with a young child bring them in the afternoon to our fun rhyming session ‘We’re Going to St Peters Fields.’
This event is organised by Seven Arches Publishing

THE MINISTRY OF LOST AND FOUND
2019-09-14 11:00 - 16:00
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED THE MINISTRY OF LOST
& FOUND — A SECRET DEPARTMENT TASKED WITH PROTECTING THE MOST CURIOUS AND PRECIOUS OBJECTS EVER LOST OR FOUND.
Calling all secret agents, the Ministry has been thrown into chaos and Frankie Found needs your help to find Leo Lost. Frankie has called everyone she knows, and Leo still can’t be found!
Since the Ministry’s 123rd anniversary in 2018, Leo hasn’t been seen and we think he’s somewhere in Central Library. Is he lost, hiding somewhere or has something more mysterious happened? All in all, we need your help on the mission to find him!
Join Frankie and all our Ministry friends for quests, adventures, fun and games on an expedition around Central Library. For one day only, not to be missed!
P.S. With so much to see, do, make and play, you’ll most certainly find an appetite along the way. So, don’t forget your picnic and stay for the day.
FREE FAMILY EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK*
*some activities have limited capacity and required booking on the day at the venue.

Dashehra Diwali Lantern Making Workshops
2019-10-05 00:00 - 2019-10-12 23:59 | City Library
In preparation for the Dashehra Diwali celebration on 12 October, we will be holding lantern making workshops for those wishing to be a part of the lantern parade on the evening of 12 October.
There are three sessions to choose from –
Saturday 5 October 11am–1.30pm
Saturday 5 October 2 – 4pm
Saturday 12 October 1 – 5.30pm
Free event. Suitable for ages 7+, places are limited.

An Evening with Jim Kay: The Art of Harry Potter
2019-10-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Performance Space
Jim Kay will be talking about his inspiration behind the art for the book and what it was like to illustrate J.K. Rowling’s words. Jim will reveal some of the stories behind his work, the artists that have inspired him and how he goes about creating images of the key characters from the Harry Potter novels. This is a chance to get a fascinating insight in to Jim Kay’s work directly from the artist himself.
Jim Kay’s inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling’s classic series has captured a devoted following worldwide. This stunning new fully illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire brings more breathtaking scenes and unforgettable characters to life – including Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum. Fizzing with magic and brimming with humour, this full-colour edition will captivate fans and new readers alike as Harry, now in his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, finds himself competing in the legendary Triwizard Tournament and facing death-defying tasks, dragons and Dark wizards.
Jim will be signing copies of the books after the event but due to time restrictions we ask that anyone attending doesn’t ask for illustrations or doodles in their book. An exclusive dragon print by Jim Kay will be available free to everyone attending each event.

Dashehra Diwali Celebration
2019-10-12 13:00 - 18:00
Visit Central Library during the afternoon to start the celebrations off with performances, crafts and much more.
Free for everyone. No need to book just drop in.
