• Town Hall Artisans, Trades and Treasures Display

    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 […]

  • Greater Mancunians Exhibition

    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 […]

  • An Evening with Miranda July

    Due to unexpected ill health, Miranda July has been forced to cancel her trip to the UK. This means her MLF event on Tuesday 11 June 2024 has been cancelled. We apologise […]

  • LYR open the Festival of Libraries 2024

    Performance Space

    A live music performance from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage's band LYR and local Manchester artist Jospehine Oniyama, featuring a very special new single dedicated to libraries. Booking required. Please make […]

  • Design workshop with Oliver East

    Chief Librarian's Office

    An interactive design workshop using simple and accessible research methods and tools to explore the library as a resource. Free - booking required

  • The Embassy of Utopia

    Performance Space

    Over two days, dreamers, poets, musicians, writers, and artists speak about and perform their vision for the future. What has Manchester collectively got to say? Free - drop in. Please […]

  • 90th Celebration – Sunday Funday

    Performance Space

    This year, Central Library celebrates 90 years since its grand opening. Join us for this cultural extravaganza during Festival of Libraries Week, celebrating the old and the new, and the […]

  • Refugee Week Celebrations

    Join Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST) for poetry, storytelling, singing and cultural dances. Free entry, no booking required. For more information, email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk Free - no booking required

  • Sign and Play and Kids’ Club – BSL Story Telling

    BSL Story Telling at Manchester Central Library for deaf 0-11 year olds and their parents. HoH, CODA, siblings and all communication methods welcome! More information here. Free - booking advised