• Recurring

    Talk English Circles

    Ground Floor (Handling Tables)

    Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Central Library to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build skills and step into ESOL with this programme funded by Economic Activity Trailblazer and Manchester Adult Education. Open to all levels. Every Tuesday, 12.30-2.30pm Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to […]

  • Author Q&A: Solid Bond in Your Heart – A People’s History of The Jam

    Henry Watson Music Library

    'Solid Bond In Your Heart: A People’s History of The Jam' is a new book by acclaimed author and journalist Malcolm Wyatt. Published in 2025 by Manchester-based Spenwood Books, it tells the tale of one the most iconic and inspirational bands of all time: The Jam. Exploding on to the British music scene with their […]

  • Recurring

    Boardgames Club

    Join our free weekly boardgames sessions! Try new games, rediscover old favourites and make new friends. Open to all ages and abilities. Boardgames provided - just bring yourself. Free, no need to book – just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]

  • Voiced & IMLD26: Polari and Poetry in Manchester

    Performance Space

    Voiced, the UK’s first creative festival for endangered languages, presents an unmissable evening of Queer poetry and performance. Presenting Polari, a hidden language of Queer experience, which will come to life in performance with Jez Dolan. Rosie Garland performs poems from Polari Prize-shortlisted What Girls do in the Dark and her recently published This Is How I Fight, an Observer Poetry […]

  • Behind the Scenes Tour

    Entrance Hall

    What do George V, Gypsy Rose Lee and Bernard Bresslaw have in common? Which musician was once thrown out of the Language and Literature Library? What would you find now in the space where Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren – amongst many others – played their first roles? All these questions – and many more […]

  • Recurring

    Polish Storytime

    Children's Library

    Join our fun and interactive storytelling session in Polish! We will listen to stories in Polish and English. Suitable for children aged 4–7. Free – drop in. Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

  • Spanish Storytime – CANCELLED

    Children's Library

    PLEASE NOTE - THIS MONTH'S STORYTIME HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THE NEXT SPANISH STORYTIME IS 14 MARCH Hola! Come and join María at the Spanish Story Time monthly sessions, where you can listen to a story in Spanish and learn phrases and vocabulary, whilst having fun. We end each session making a simple craft related to […]

  • Recurring

    Talk English Circles

    Ground Floor (Handling Tables)

    Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Central Library to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build skills and step into ESOL with this programme funded by Economic Activity Trailblazer and Manchester Adult Education. Open to all levels. Every Tuesday, 12.30-2.30pm Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to […]

  • Library Lovers Scheme – Focus Group

    Chief Librarian's Office

    Would you like to participate in Manchester Libraries Trust's upcoming focus group? Together we'll explore and discuss the Library Lovers membership scheme and Manchester Libraries Trust work supporting cultural, educational and archives projects across all of Manchester’s libraries. Your input will help inform how the scheme is re-developed and re-vamped. As a thank you for […]

  • Crime Central

    Performance Space

    Crime Central is the monthly crime and thriller fiction event at Manchester Central Library. Bringing the best from all over! Featuring the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country - the big names are all coming to Manchester! Go behind the scenes! Showcasing blockbuster bestsellers, emerging talent and industry […]

  • Knitting, Cross-stitch and Embroidery Group

    Lower Ground Floor

    Join our new friendly group and spend a cosy afternoon meeting new people and learning a new skill! Have a go at knitting, cross-stitch and hand embroidery in a relaxed environment. All materials provided, just bring yourself. All levels welcome. Pay what you feel. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme […]