What's on

Manchester Comics and Reading (MCR) Festival

We are proud to announce the first Manchester Comics and Reading (MCR) Festival at Central Library! This is a triple event special. That's right, three in one day. We have a traditional comic event, an anime / manga showcase and a cosplay event all rolled into one day and venue, but in three very distinct […]

Julia Davenport: ‘Order and Chaos’ Book Launch

Performance Space

The poems in this brand new book are about Love, War, Anti-Austerity, Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Murder, Child Abuse, Gender Identity, Race, and Climate Change. All Book profits are being donated to the mental health charity 'Mind'. This collection of poetry is based on and around the themes of Order and Chaos. It has been […]

Henry Normal – ‘This Phantom Breath’ Book Launch

Performance Space

‘The Alan Bennett of poetry’ – The Scotsman ‘Dovetails bittersweet poetry with a sublimely observant wit’ – The Guardian Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries are proud to host the launch of Henry Normal's new collection of poetry, 'This Phantom Breath'. Written between August 2016 and August 2017, the poems in this collection are concerned with […]

The Guilty Feminist

Performance Space

Deborah Frances-White has turned her hit comedy podcast The Guilty Feminist into a funny, joyful, frank and inspiring book about embracing both our feminism and our imperfections. We're thrilled to welcome Deborah to Manchester Central Library, where she'll explore live what it means to be a 21st Century Feminist. The event will be chaired by […]

£20

An Evening with Deliciously Ella

Performance Space

Ella Mills Woodward’s inspirational, lively writing and delicious recipes have inspired countless people to move towards a plant-based diet.  Her fans will find much to savour in her new book, which highlights some of the most popular dishes served in her own deli. We’re delighted to welcome her to discuss her writing and the personal […]

£5 – £15

Connie Glynn presents the Rosewood Chronicles

Come and join Connie Glynn for a new term at Rosewood Hall at an event in celebration of Princess In Practice, the hotly-anticipated sequel to Undercover Princess. Connie will be talking about the world of THE ROSEWOOD CHRONICLES and modern fairy tales, her experiences as an author, and answering your burning questions about the new […]

£12.99

Junior Jam: Movie Music

Children's Library

Free jam-packed music session for children aged 4-8. Help your little ones develop their musical skills in a fun, friendly and accessible way. Presented by creative music charity Brighter Sound and led by Kabantu - a quintet of award-winning musicians and music educators, known for their infectious rhythms and beautiful melodies from around the globe. […]

Over 50’s Line Dance Extravaganza

Performance Space

To Celebrate Valuing Older People’s Day, Manchester Libraries and Manchester Prairie Dogs present A BEGINNERS LINE DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA Age friendly line dance lessons County and Western photo booth Games and quizzes Refreshments at the Watering Hole Places are free but limited so please book early by calling 0161 234 1940 or emailing j.kettlety@manchester.gov.uk.  

She Wrote Her Own Eulogy – Book Launch

Performance Space

The launch of Shirley May's first book of poetry, 'She Wrote Her Own Eulogy', published by Wrecking Ball Press. Shirley will be sharing some of the poems from her book and discussing it with the audience. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. Shirley is the director of Young Identity writing collective, […]

How Our Schools Fail Black Children… and what we can do about it

Performance Space

Join the Unison Black Members Committee and the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre (AIUC) for a discussion of the past, present and future of the education of black and Asian children in the UK. In recent years we have seen an increase in hate crimes and the Government use of Prevent, targeting Muslim school […]

Peterloo: Voices, Sabres and Silence

Performance Space

Join author Graham Phythian for an evening of readings and music to celebrate the launch of his new book. Graham has drawn extensively on archives, published works, and interviews with descendants of people who were present at Peterloo. He has spent over three years researching the topic, revisiting well known sources - as well as […]

An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith

Performance Space

20 years ago, Precious Ramotswe established The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Gabarone, Botswana. The subsequent novels in Alexander McCall Smith’s series became a literary phenomenon, and have since been translated into 46 different languages. A prolific and much-loved writer, Alexander has written and contributed to over 100 books, and his series, 44 Scotland […]

£10