What's on

The Smiths 1984-1986

First Floor Display Cases

An exhibition of images from the golden age of The Smiths, by photographer Stephen Wright. 'A sweeter set of pictures were never taken’   Morrissey, Boxing Day, 1985 Free – please drop in   **To compliment this fabulous exhibition, the library shop on the ground floor will be selling a range of exclusive Smiths related goodies!**

Meet Giovanna and Tom Fletcher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2DAa-ezYy4   THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT Come and meet Tom & Giovanna Fletcher at Manchester Central Library. Purchase price includes one copy of Eve of Man. ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Giovanna and Tom Fletcher are two of the UK's most successful authors. Tom is the creator of The Christmasaurus, which was the biggest debut […]

£11.20

Word Central: Open Mic

Word Central open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry With special guest Thick Richard! Thick Richard has been pedalling his potty-mouthed poems at festivals and clubs up and down the land for the last 16 years. His cynical, lyrical, jet-black humour, intelligent wordplay, well-crafted verse, and occasionally acerbic, well-targeted comic attacks have […]

150 years of the TUC

Performance Space

Marking the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the TUC (Trades Union Congress) in Manchester and Salford in 1868, DJ and writer, Dave Haslam curates a whole day of events, including a short lunchtime lecture Dr Jo Grady (1:15pm-1:50pm) and screenings of films from the North West Film Archive here at Central Library. Free event - booking […]

Not the Factory: Manchester’s other electronic music histories

Performance Space

Curated by Annex Agency and hosted by writer, curator and journalist Jennifer Lucy Allan, Manchester Histories presents a day of panel discussions, screenings and music exploring the often-hidden stories of Manchester’s electronic music history. Free event - booking recommended:

Manchester Histories Celebration Day

The magnificent Manchester Histories Celebration Day comes to Manchester Central Library with over 60 exhibition stands, craft activities for all the family, performances, music, and talks by histories and heritage organisations from across Greater Manchester. Free - please drop in

Debate-Discuss-Talk-Connect-Decide-Act

From DevoManc to the STEM curricula, capitalism to cultural cities, Manchester Histories and partners host a day of exchanging different ideas and thoughts through debating and discussing topics that have, or are shaping, our histories and society. Come along and share your views. Free event - booking recommended:

Sunday Funday – Manchester Day

The word on the street is that your fabulous Central Library will be open on Manchester Day – pop in and explore the treasures inside! Free - please drop in

Chameleon Youth – Free Taster Session

Performance Space

CALL OUT FOR YOUNG DANCE ARTISTS - CHAMELEON YOUTH IS RECRUITING! Be part of a dance company that is inspiring and different to the mainstream. Chameleon Youth, Manchester’s youth dance company, is calling out for new members for 2018/19. If you’re age 11 to 21, this is an incredible opportunity to be part of a dance […]

The Empire Windrush – 70th Anniversary

Archives+ Ground Floor

Empire Windrush is best remembered today for bringing one of the first large groups of post-war West Indian immigrants to the United Kingdom in 1948. To celebrate the 70th anniversary we exhibit and share material from collections in the AIU Race Relations Resource Centre and Manchester City Council Archives. Free - please drop in

The Ministry of Lost & Found

Pick up a map, it’s time to get lost on a quest around Central Library! A long, long, time ago, the government commissioned intrepid explorer, Philias Finder, to start The Ministry of Lost & Found – a secret department tasked with protecting the most curious and precious objects ever lost or found. To celebrate the […]

Chameleon Youth – Free Taster Session

Performance Space

CALL OUT FOR YOUNG DANCE ARTISTS - CHAMELEON YOUTH IS RECRUITING! Be part of a dance company that is inspiring and different to the mainstream. Chameleon Youth, Manchester’s youth dance company, is calling out for new members for 2018/19. If you’re age 11 to 21, this is an incredible opportunity to be part of a dance […]