Wildlife is always just a walk away wherever you are in Manchester and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. This exhibition showcases the creative talents and passions of our Central Library staff members. We hope to inspire you to explore and enjoy the many areas of Manchester’s natural beauty, and to discover and appreciate hidden gems […]
Foundation Art and Design Students from The Manchester College have brought the Art School’s ethos of research to the heart of our iconic Wolfson Reading Room. Each student has developed a personal body of work which has initially been inspired by one of the books from Central Library. The boards exhibited are an insight into […]
A documentary photography project spanning 7 years (2016-2023). Photographers Michael Baker & Phil Portus explore ‘present day’ Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, and challenge perceptions of what ‘Curry Mile’ now represents, as opposed to nostalgia & past recollections. The ethnic make-up of Rusholme has changed significantly over recent years. Barber shops, shisha bars & dessert parlours have […]
Paper Piano – A Retrospective For the last 10 years, Paper Piano have been creating music related artwork and packaging. More recently they have focused on hand-made books; this combination of music and books makes them the ideal label to exhibit at The Henry Watson Music Library. Paper Piano have worked with many illustrious musicians […]
This new exhibition showcases a range of original publicity material and print adverts created as marketing for the Port of Manchester. This saw a revolution in publicity with modern ideas on typefaces, much more dynamic imagery and bolder use of colour. Manchester Ship Canal Company started using imaginative visual design to sell itself more effectively […]
Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Hosted by Tony Curry Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries A free event every month at Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD Next event: Tuesday 29th August, 6.00pm - 7.45pm (doors open 5.40pm) with special guest poet Róisín Maguire
Another "Paper Piano Presents", this time with Gideon Conn, the first artist to appear on the label. Known for effortlessly blending acoustic soul, jazz and hip hop, Gideon has a unique performance style that makes people very happy. Thought provoking lyrics glide over catchy melodic hooks with guitar playing different from any you’ve heard before. […]
Sharpen your pencils and get your sports kit ready – it’s back to school! Come and decorate your own gym bag and more. Suitable for ages 4–11 Free – just drop in. Please support our cultural programme by donating at our cash or contactless donation boxes.
GMCA: Futures for All is an employability skills programme for young people across Greater Manchester with SEN, that empowers employers to recognise and celebrate the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of young people from the SEND schools and settings. The exhibition showcases a series of short films co-produced with alumni from SEND schools across […]
SOLD OUT To celebrate the release of The Complete Scripts, we are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming writer and producer Jesse Armstrong to Manchester to talk about his highly acclaimed TV series SUCCESSION. Collected for the first time, the complete scripts of Succession feature unseen extra material and reveal a unique insight into Jesse Armstrong's writing, creation and […]
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Central Library and Archives+? Join us on this fun, fact-filled library trail as we take you into the depths of our treasured venue. Tours take place on the hour - see links below to book: 1pm tour - book here 2pm tour - book here 3pm […]
Manchester-based historian Neil Buttery presents a talk about the rise & fall of one of Britain's most influential cookery writers, Elizabeth Raffald. Join historian Neil to explore the life, times and legend of the great Elizabeth Raffald of Manchester. Elizabeth was once a household name, and her list of accomplishments would make even the highest […]
“Manchester has been unveiled as one of cities taking centre stage in a summer tour to celebrate the Black British Book Festival this year. In its third year the Black British Book Festival is Europe’s largest celebration of black literature and a fast-growing and a widely acclaimed event showcasing black authors and providing a platform […]
Join Sarup Singh Landa, whose father was the first Sikh High Priest of the Sikh Temple in Moss Side, for the book launch of the history of Sikh communities' achievements in Manchester over the past 70 years. Free - for more details email rrarchive@manchester.ac.uk
We will be joined by two very different local artists for some short musical performances. One is a young acoustic guitar student working toward grade exams, who will give her first live performance ever. The other is an experienced composer of experimental rock/pop music, an enthusiastic live performer and a library regular: Steve Manning aka […]
Hello! Ciao! Hola! Bonjour! Celebrate European languages and learn some new vocabulary with a very special storytime, as we share stories in Spanish, Italian, French and English, with craft activities. The event is hosted with Manchester's Alliance Française, Instituto Cervantes and Società Dante Alighieri. Suitable for children aged 4-7 Free - drop in - please consider making a […]
In association with Paper Piano, The Declining Winter will perform in the Henry Watson Music Library, preceding their November tour with epic45. The self-described “(un) popular music group based in West Yorkshire” creates ethereal, spacious arpeggiated music and unique live experiences. Yorkshire based The Declining Winter are led by Richard Adams, the co-founder of the […]
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Presented by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press Tuesday 26th September, 6.00pm – 7.45pm. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Janine Booth Book your open mic slot from noon on Tues 12th September via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that […]
As the nights get darker, Crime Central returns with three amazing authors and three new books to chill your bones. Rob Parker welcomes Fiona Erskine, Luca Veste and Neil Broadfoot to Central Library! Fiona Erskine Engineer by day, writer by night. Fiona was born in Edinburgh, and grew up playing guitar, riding motorbikes and jumping into […]
Angel invites you to a Saturday afternoon of fun and games. We all love a game of bingo! but add in some 'play your cards right' and 'name that tune' with a sprinkling of singalongs and surprises, who could resist!
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.
