Our latest first-floor exhibition comes courtesy of the team currently working on the Our Town Hall Project to repair, renovate and refurbish Manchester's iconic Town Hall. Extraordinarily little is known about the artisans who built the Town Hall between 1868 and 1877, and certainly no photographs exist. But fast-forward 150 years and today’s skilled workers […]
An insightful exhibition in memory of Sir Tony Lloyd (1950-2024) - a popular politician who represented three different constituencies in the Greater Manchester area for a total of 36 years across five decades. He served as the country's first Police and Crime Commissioner before becoming the first Mayor of Greater Manchester, returning to Parliament in […]
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is marking its 40th anniversary with an exhibition of 40 items, showing how privacy and information rights have played a pivotal role at prominent times during the past four decades. Free - just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our […]
ACTING UP! tells the story of 40 years of HIV activism in the region through archives, testimonies and films. The exhibition honours the memories of lives lost and continues the fight for a world free of HIV stigma and discrimination. Visit the exhibition in the ground floor of Central Library from 2 April till 31 […]
Now in its third episode, Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast returns with another feast of features for its listeners. This month’s big interview comes from the legendary DJ Paulette, who speaks to the podcast about her incredible life, brand new book ‘Welcome To The Club’, and her involvement in the upcoming Black British Book Festival at Central […]
The Manchester Manhole Collective is proud to present Manc Holes and Beyond, the world’s first exhibition celebrating the art and design of manhole & drain covers. These well-trodden yet often overlooked works of art that adorn the streets, roads & pavements of Manchester and beyond. Amaze at how these heavy industrial designs exemplify art at […]
Springing into the new season, FULL VOLUME: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back with a brand new episode for April. Packed with fantastic features, the lead interview this month finds our host Alan Lynch going head-to-head with top political journalist Emma Barnett. Perhaps best known for hosting the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4 and […]
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Dominic Berry. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 15th April via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this timeframe. […]
‘A true wonder’ – Max Porter Tom Rourke, poet, doper, drinker is struggling to make a life for himself amongst the Irish migrant workers seeking to make their fortunes in Butte, Montana. Then Polly Gillespie, wife of a mine captain, walks into his life. Sparks fly, the lovers flee West, but will they reach the […]
Join us for a chat and a chance to have a look at some great objects from our archives as we honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 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 […]
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over. Welcome to the fourth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: Monday 12th May. • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: […]
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over. Welcome to the fourth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: Monday 12th May. • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: […]
Join us for a chat and a chance to have a look at some great objects from our archives as we honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day. 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 […]
Join us in the Henry Watson Music Library for a beguiling hour of musical magic. Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
AI-powered technologies are revolutionising our lives and putting women and girls in danger. In her urgent and gripping new book The New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates delves into our future and finds it wanting. From chatbots to sex robots, from deep fakes to the metaverse, Laura examines how existing forms of discrimination, inequality and harassment […]
‘So from the river we acquire an idea of human community. That is one of its most salutary features, so deeply imbued that we scarcely notice it.’ (Ackroyd, 2007: 11) Ackroyd P (2007) Thames: Sacred River. London: Vintage. Fiona Brehony invites us to explore relationships to waterways using creative writing and re-sounding exercises using visual, […]
Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Délicieux. Film in French with English subtitles. Certificate U. All Alliance Française de Manchester cultural events are open and accessible to everyone. They are public events and under 18s remain the responsibility of their parent/guardian at all times. Free – booking required via Alliance […]
‘So from the river we acquire an idea of human community. That is one of its most salutary features, so deeply imbued that we scarcely notice it.’ (Ackroyd, 2007: 11) Ackroyd P (2007) Thames: Sacred River. London: Vintage. Fiona Brehony invites us to explore relationships to waterways using creative writing and re-sounding exercises using visual, […]
“Other soldiers were here in transit and had a ‘return ticket’ home. The Poles acted as if they had come home. Why? Because they had no home. Poland had been taken over by Stalin.” Alberto Spadoni, recalling the liberation of Bologna by Polish soldiers on 21 April 1945. Join us for a unique glimpse into the […]
Brought to you by the recently awarded ‘Library of the Year’, Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is back for a fantastic fifth episode. Filled with all kinds of facts, features and library-based fun, this month's big interview finds Full Volume sitting down with esteemed artist, illustrator and all-round good guy Stanley Chow. From how The […]
Looking for something to do over the holidays? Check out our half term activity programme. All materials provided, just bring your imagination! Free entry, no need to book. Take a look at the full schedule below: Lego Club, Tuesday 27 May, 2-3pm, Lower Ground Floor Do you love Lego? So do we! Drop in, pick your […]
Join us for French Storytime to listen to stories in French and English, learn new words and make new friends! Suitable for children aged 4–7. Suitable for children aged 4-7 Free - please drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes […]
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.
