Manchester Central Library is proud to host a display inspired by the British Library's new exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic. From Friday 20 October 2017, visitors will be able to discover fascinating facts about the History of Magic at Manchester Central Library. Displays will launch simultaneously in 20 public libraries across the UK […]
Manchester Histories presents Hidden Histories, Hidden Historians, a Heritage Lottery Fund supported exhibition. Five groups from across Greater Manchester have explored their own hidden histories to create a multi-media exhibition that includes archive photography, historical research, video and oral histories. Free - just drop in
India, Africa, the West Indies and recruitment through culture explored in two parallel exhibitions: From the Shadows of War and Empire A documentary exhibition by Southern Voices Few know about how European powers brought colonies into World War I, took resources from these countries and took the war to ‘fronts’ outside Europe. An exhibition which […]
Scarlett Raven and Marc Marot are acknowledged to be amongst the world’s first augmented reality fine artists. The Danger Tree exhibition, visually brought to life by award-winning film set designer Kave Quinn, evokes the devastation of WWI while the narratives behind each painting tell the stories of those lost and lamented, but never forgotten. Raven […]
From recruitment to burial, this exhibition developed by the British Muslim Heritage Centre and part funded by the Community Covenant, gives an insight into the selfless sacrifice of Muslim soldiers, who valiantly fought for the freedoms and privileges that we take for granted in Great Britain today. Free - please drop in
WORD CENTRAL A semaphore-exploding mind-flow open mic poetry & spoken word hosted by Tony Curry. February's special guest poet is Fat Roland! Fat Roland has been likened to “Johnny Vegas devouring Sam Simmons… on a rollercoaster... driven by a depressed buffalo”. He is champion of Literary Death Match Manchester and co-runs Bad Language, voted the UK’s […]
Women’s Words is a joint project between Manchester Libraries, Pankhurst Centre, Soroptimist International Manchester and Wordplay Community Arts. It captures a moment in Manchester’s history. One hundred years on from the Suffragette movement, born here in our city, Women’s Words gives voice to untold stories from women in Manchester in 2018 Free – please drop […]
Prose, poetry and spoken word from an all-female line-up of Outspoken voices. Afshan D’souza-Lodhi hosts, with readings from Seni Seneviratne, Jackie Hagan, Mandla Rae and Louise Wallwein. Plus new work from Superbia’s Manchester Chapbook project.
You don't need Romeo and Juliet in your life to enjoy our silent disco crazy crazy nights! Just grab your handbags and gladrags and discover a reason to believe. Whether you are an owner of a lonely heart searching for the power of love or a piano man desperate to fly away on a runaway […]
Storytime doesn’t get more glamorous than this! Manchester Libraries are proud to be working with Queer Contact and The Family Gorgeous to present their first Drag Queen Storytime at Central Library. Drag Queen Storytime is exactly what it sounds like, drag queens reading stories to children in libraries. The aim is to capture the freedom […]
Join us for a celebration of Chinese arts, crafts and culture on one of our exclusive Sunday openings.
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Manchester March against Section 28 - still the largest LGBT march in this country. Join us to hear how this event was organised and who spoke and performed at the rally and the concert that followed. See some of the archive items and film footage from the event. The […]
In September 1880, Detective Jerome Caminada and his Manchester police force raided the Temperance Hall in Hulme. Once inside, they found 47 men and half of them were in women's clothing. It was an event that shocked both city and country but who were these men and what became of them? Join us for this free […]
A very special afternoon of reading loveliness at Central Library. We will be sharing stories, making crafts, and discovering digital fun using our favourite books to celebrate World Book Day 2018. Free – please drop in
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
