Calling all budding gardeners (pun unintended) and readers! Get potting at this fun interactive session for the whole family. We’ll provide seeds, soil and pots, just bring yourself! We’ll also help you sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge, so you can win some wonderful prizes. What’s not to like? Free, no need to book. […]
To welcome bees and butterflies, we’ll start by planting beautiful, colourful flowers. But that’s not all—we’re going to get crafty too! Using decorative paper and layers of soft tissue paper, we’ll create a giant blooming flower collage. Each petal we add will remind us how important flowers are for pollination and how we can help […]
Does Friday afternoon and cinema sound like a good combo to you? Then join us at Manchester Central Library for a free film screening with themed crafts! We may even have popcorn! Suitable for children up to 12 years old. No need to book, free to drop in from 2.30pm. Film screening starts at 2.30pm. […]
Not quite ready for the end of the holidays? Join us at Central Library for a special end-of-summer extravaganza brought to you by Z-Arts and Manchester Libraries! *FULL PROGRAMME* Yoga and movement sessions for children Performance Space (Ground Floor) Start times: 12pm, 1pm Storytimes Performance Space (Ground Floor) Start times: 12.30pm, 1.30pm Bessie’s Bees (Storytime) […]
Join us for Japan Week to learn more about leading Japanese destinations from EXPO 2025 in Osaka, as well as hidden gems that will inspire your next visit. You can also view incredible exhibitions and performances from Japanese artists and join workshops to give yourself a taste of traditional Japanese culture right here in Manchester. […]
Would you like to improve your English conversation skills? Join our friendly group, improve your English, and meet new friends. Suitable for adults. 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
Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs for a rare visit to the UK to celebrate over 25 years of her bestselling series. Best known as the inspiration behind Fox Television's longest-running scripted drama, Bones, Kathy will be in Manchester for a one-night-only. She'll be discussing her career as an author and forensic anthropologist, how she crafts her […]
Join Manchester Hstories for Time Travellers Tea Room, a monthly gathering where we explore the personal stories, memories and everyday objects that shape Manchester’s rich and diverse heritage. These relaxed sessions are open to anyone with an interest in the past, whether you're a lifelong Mancunian, new to the city, or simply curious about local […]
Do you speak more than one language? Want to find out more about the languages spoken in Manchester? Then join us for an engaging exploration of our foreign language archives, where visitors can uncover stories, documents, and cultural treasures from Manchester’s amazingly diverse communities. Performance Schedule 1.30pm Welcome by the Portuguese Consulate 1.45pm Irish storytelling […]
Join us as we offer a rare glimpse into this significant collection, much of which is created by children. Read their messages, thoughts and feelings as they voice their inspiring stand, united against bullying and racism. In 2021 following a missed EUFA penalty, a community-funded mural in Withington of local footballer Marcus Rashford was defaced […]
We are delighted to welcome bestselling author Katherine Rundell to Manchester to celebrate the release of The Poisoned King! The mesmerising follow-up to Rundell's Waterstones Book of the Year 2023-winning Impossible Creatures finds Christopher embroiled in an elaborate rescue mission as he returns to the magical world of the Archipelago. Katherine joins us at Manchester Central Library for a talk, […]
Explore how children learned Pre-20th Century and Early 1900s, through images, storybooks, rhymes, and moral tales. A fun and nostalgic exhibition for schools and families—where learning met imagination! Discover the storybook world of early childhood learning at Manchester Council’s Heritage Open Day. This special exhibition showcases a rich collection of children’s books published Pre-20th Century […]
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.
