What's on

In Praise of Blandness

First Floor Exhibition Hall

An exhibition of works by Manchester based photographer, Robert John Watson. Here's what Robert says about the exhbition: 'In Praise Of Blandness is in no way mundane. I see the silent in the world. It is a coincidence that most of my pictures have very few or no people in them as we are just […]

Manchester Histories DigiFest 2020-Online Screening

Online

Due to Covid19 Manchester Histories presents its first ever DigiFest, taking place on Friday 4 & Saturday 5th September 2020, transmitting live from Central Library's Performance Space. You can now see the online programme of events, to find out what's on and how to get involved. Click here to see the programme. Click here to download the PDF. […]

An Evening with Lesley Pearse

Online

Manchester Libraries, Libraries Connected and Penguin Books invite you to join us for a special Friday evening with the hugely popular author Lesley Pearse. Lesley Pearse was told as a child that she had too much imagination for her own good. When she grew up she worked her way through a number of jobs, including […]

Tiny Fun Palaces

Performance Space

Join Angela and Siobhan at Central Library to help you make your Tiny Fun Palace in a Bag. Places are very limited! Booking is essential via Eventbrite You can also pick up a Free Mini Fun Palace in a Bag from these libraries: Central Library, Fallowfield Library, Forum Library, Longsight Library and North City Library. […]

Windrush Generations Manchester Voices Exhibition

Archives+ Ground Floor

Windrush Generations Manchester Voices is a digital exhibition, on the ground floor of Central Library in Archives+, that focuses on the personal histories and stories of 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation African Caribbeans in Manchester. Discover personal perspectives on: struggles and achievements art and activism the history and legacy of immigration #BlackHistoryMonth Free - please […]

An Evening with Sarah Butler

Celebrate #LibrariesWeek with Manchester Libraries and acclaimed author Sarah Butler. Sarah is a writer and literature activist who lives in Manchester. She has three novels published by Picador in the UK: Ten Things I’ve Learnt About Love, Before The Fire and Jack and Bet which was published in early 2020. In 2007, Sarah established the […]

75 Memorial Flames Exhibition

First Floor

A new Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition at Manchester Central Library.  Here's more information about the exhibition from the organisers. Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. In commemoration of this landmark anniversary, we ran an exciting project that organisations and community groups all over the UK took part in. […]

Children’s Storytime: ‘Mummy…What is Black Lives Matter?

Online

For one day only Manchester Libraries will be screening a special storytime with local author Jade Calder. Join Jade as she reads from her new self-published children’s book “"Mummy...What is Black Lives Matter". Inspired by shared real life experiences of the Black Lives Matter protests with her young daughter, Jade’s book addresses the subject of […]

Little Reads

Online

Little Reads is a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs, play and craft to explore children’s picture books. Most suitable for children aged 2 to 6 but all family members are welcome. We usually meet once a month in libraries across Greater Manchester. At the moment however, we are delivering LIVE Little Reads via […]

Ancestry Talks with Paul Crooks

Online

Tracing African Caribbean Ancestry – Who do you think you are? Join Ancestry Talks' Paul Crooks for this captivating account of how he traced his Black Caribbean ancestors enslaved on a sugar plantation in Jamaica, 200 years ago. In this masterclass, Paul captivates audiences with his unique account of how he traced his roots and […]

Ancestry Talks with Paul Crooks

Online

Tracing Windrush Ancestry: Secrets of the Passenger Lists There are calls from people of African & Caribbean descent not to forget the Windrush generation. “Did my parents or forebears come to England on the Empire Windrush? Or, did they arrive on some other ship? What do I know about their arrival? What can I find […]

50 Windows of Creativity

50 Windows of Creativity will transform the city’s windows and spaces into an innovative art gallery which takes you on a creative journey around the city. The displays feature multiple art forms, from fine art and photography to ceramics, crafts, mosaics and murals - all curated by talented artists, designers, makers and collectives with a […]