BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Library Live - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://librarylive.co.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Library Live
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261020T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261020T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T112004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T112004Z
UID:14431-1792483200-1792515600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents M. John Harrison
DESCRIPTION:Spend an evening with one of Britain’s greatest contemporary writers as M. John Harrison discusses his remarkable new novel\, The End of Everything\, with acclaimed writer Helen Mort.   \nSet in a fractured near-future where Europe has been mislaid\, governments barely function and mysterious new life forms emerge from the sea\, this unsettling and darkly funny novel follows a scavenger and his aunt – each drawn into separate journeys that challenges everything they think they know.   \nExpect a provocative and wide-ranging discussion about imagination\, literature and how we navigate a world where crisis has become the backdrop to everyday life.   \n‘M John Harrison is the closest thing we have to a present-day Wyndham or Ballard.’ New Statesman   \n‘The End of Everything is at once surreal\, seductive\, shrewdly funny and wholly terrifying.‘ Julia Armfield  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nJohn Harrisonis the author of more than twenty books\, including the celebratedViriconium sequence\, Light\, The Centauri Device and The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again. Regarded as one of Britain’s most influential contemporary writers\, he has received numerous awards and written science fiction\, fantasy and speculative fiction.  His anti-memoir\, Wish I Was Here\, was described as a masterpiece and ‘a deep dive into the mind of a genius’ by Monique Roffey.   \nHelen Mort is a Sheffield based poet\, novelist\, non-fiction writer and creative writing lecturer.   \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-m-john-harrison/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/M-John-Harrison-credit-Hugo-Glendinning-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261019T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261019T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T111053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T111358Z
UID:14426-1792396800-1792429200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Willy Vlautin
DESCRIPTION:Join acclaimed musician\, songwriter and novelist Willy Vlautin for a special evening celebrating his powerful new novel\, The Left and the Lucky. Set in Portland\, Oregon\, the novel tells the story of Eddie\, a solitary house painter\, and Russell\, the vulnerable small neighbour who slowly changes his life. Heart wrenching yet uplifting\, The Left and the Lucky is a testament to kindness\, survival and human connection.   \nOne of America’s most distinctive chroniclers of working-class life\, Willy started writing stories and songs at the age of eleven after receiving his first guitar. He joins us to discuss unlikely friendships\, human connection and his commitment to telling working class stories through his work. Don’t miss an evening with one of contemporary fiction’s most charismatic and humane voices.   \n“One of America’s great writers” Roddy Doyle   \n“Willy Vlautin is one of the bravest novelists writing. Murderers\, cheats\, sadists\, showy examples of the banality of evil\, are easy\, but it takes real courage to write a novel about ordinary good people.” Ursula K. Le Guin  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nWilly Vlautin is the acclaimed author of seven novels\, including The Horse\, winner of the 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Award. His novels The Motel Life and Lean on Pete became acclaimed films\, while The Night Always Comes was adapted by Netflix in 2025. Born in Reno\, Nevada\, he lives near Portland\, Oregon and teaches at Pacific University’s MFA in Writing programme. He is the founder of the bands Richmond Fontaine and The Delines.  \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-willy-vlautin/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Willy-Vlautin-photo-credit-Bobby-Abrahamson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261018T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261018T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T110312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T110312Z
UID:14421-1792310400-1792342800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Simon Armitage: Gilgamesh
DESCRIPTION:The Poet Laureate Simon Armitage returns to present his exhilarating new verse translation of Gilgamesh\, one of the world’s oldest and most compelling\, surviving works of literature. \nOriginating in ancient Mesopotamia nearly 4\,000 years ago\, this epic tale follows King Gilgamesh through adventures\, battles and profound personal loss. The poem explores themes that remain strikingly relevant today: power\, friendship\, love\, loss and what it means to be human. \nA Festival favourite and outstanding live performer\, Simon brings fresh energy and momentum to this ancient story\, capturing its emotional depth and relevance. See him live in what promises to be\, an uplifting journey into the very origins of storytelling. \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live. \nSimon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. An award-winning poet\, translator\, broadcaster and musician\, he has published over twenty poetry collections and is the author of acclaimed translations including Sir Gawain and the Green Knight\, Pearl and The Owl and the Nightingale. He is the current Poet Laureate (2019-2029). \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-simon-armitage-gilgamesh/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Armitage-Simon_credit-Paul-Stuart-Photography-Ltd-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261017T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261017T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T105038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T105206Z
UID:14409-1792224000-1792256400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Brutalist Ghost Stories
DESCRIPTION:An afternoon exploring the supernatural with writers Jenn Ashworth\, David Gaffney\, Beth Barker and Nicholas Royle – four contributors to Brutalist Ghost Stories\, a haunting new anthology inspired by Britain’s post-war architecture.   \nBlending literary fiction with the uncanny\, these original stories reimagine Brutalist buildings as places where history\, memory and the supernatural collide. From Preston Bus Station and the Barbican to Forton Service Station and a substation in Sheffield\, the collection offers a striking new way of seeing familiar spaces.   \nHear readings from the anthology and discover how four distinctive Northern voices have transformed these monumental settings into unforgettable ghost stories.  \nBrutalist Ghost Stories is edited by Richard V. Hirst and published by Manchester’s Cōnfingō Publishing.  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nJenn Ashworth is an award-winning novelist whose books include A Kind of Intimacy\, Fell and Ghosted. Her memoir Notes Made While Falling was shortlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize. She lives in Lancashire.   \nDavid Gaffney is a novelist and short story writer whose books include Never Never\, Out of the Dark and Sawn-Off Tales. His work has been appeared on BBC Radio 4. He lives in Manchester.  \nBeth Barker is a writer from Blackpool. Her work has appeared in publications including Prototype 5 and A Wild and Precious Life. She is one of the emerging voices supported through the New North strand of Brutalist Ghost Stories.  \nNicholas Royle is an acclaimed novelist and short story writer whose books include First Novel\, Antwerp and Ornithology. He is the editor of Best British Short Stories and founder of Nightjar Press.  \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-brutalist-ghost-stories/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1021014.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261016T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261016T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T104451Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T104451Z
UID:14402-1792137600-1792170000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Carolyn Forché & Kwame Dawes
DESCRIPTION:Don’t miss this opportunity to hear two of the world’s most visionary poets read and discuss their sublime poetry\, exploring political engagement and the interplay between survival and testimony.  \nOver five decades\, American poet Carolyn Forché has established herself as both ‘a poet of witness’ and an indefatigable human rights activist. Beautifully crafted\, her poems are testimonies\, enquiries and wonderments. Her anthology\, Against Forgetting\, has been praised by Nelson Mandela as ‘itself a blow against tyranny\, against prejudice\, against injustice.’ Otherwise: New & Selected Poems 1976-2026 brings together poems from her five award-winning collections as well as urgent new work.  \nKwame Dawes is the author of numerous books of poetry\, essays and works of fiction\, most recently the collection Sturge Town featuring poems of acute self-reflection alongside those giving voice to invented characters. He is the Poet Laureate of Jamaica\, the Artistic Director of the Calabash International Literary Festival and Professor of Literary Arts at Brown University. His poetry has been described by Martin Espada as ‘the music of survival and transcendence.’  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event co-presented with Manchester Poetry Library\, Bloodaxe Books and Renaissance One. Supported by Library Live.  \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-carolyn-forche-kwame-dawes/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Kwame-Dawes-photo-©-Chris-Abani-scaled-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261015T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261015T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T103747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T103747Z
UID:14394-1792051200-1792083600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Louise Kennedy & Wendy Erskine
DESCRIPTION:Two of Northern Ireland’s most acclaimed\, contemporary authors\, Louise Kennedy and Wendy Erskine\, join BBC 6 Music broadcaster Deb Grant for an unmissable conversation about storytelling and identity.   \nLouise Kennedy (Trespasses) introduces Stations\, one of the most anticipated novels of 2026\, a moving and immersive story of first love\, friendship\, freedom and reinvention that spans decades and explores the choices that echo throughout our lives.   \nWendy Erskine (Dance Move) discusses The Benefactors\, her Women’s Fiction Prize-longlisted novel: a bold\, darkly funny and razor-sharp examination of class\, power\, motherhood and social exclusion in contemporary Northern Ireland.  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nLouise Kennedy is the bestselling author of Trespasses\, winner of multiple awards including Debut Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards\, and the acclaimed short-story collection The End of the World Is a Cul de Sac.   \nWendy Erskine is the award-winning author of Sweet Home and Dance Move\, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature\, broadcaster and interviewer and works as a secondary school teacher in Belfast.  \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-louise-kennedy-wendy-erskine/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Louise-Kennedy-photo-credit-Alexis-Kirschbaum-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261013T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261013T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T102807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T071626Z
UID:14388-1791878400-1791910800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Frank Cottrell-Boyce
DESCRIPTION:Beloved author\, screenwriter and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce brings his trademark wit and warmth to a moving conversation about books\, imagination and the stories that shape our lives.   \nInspired by his new non-fiction book\, A British Childhood\, as well as many of his own favourite reads\, Frank reflects on what it means to grow up in Britain today\, sharing stories gathered from children\, families\, schools and libraries across the country\, who have grown up in the shadow of Covid and austerity. Along the way\, he’ll celebrate the books that have inspired him\, champion the importance of reading and share why storytelling remains one of the most powerful and essential gifts we can give children.  \n“Frank Cottrell-Boyce is truly a great champion for children and childhood… No home\, no school\, and especially no library should be without this story and this book.”  Michael Morpurgo  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nFrank Cottrell-Boyce is one of Britain’s most acclaimed writers for children\, whose bestselling novels include Millions\, Cosmic\, Framed and The Astounding Broccoli Boy. Waterstones Children’s Laureate from 2024 – 2026\, he is also an award-winning screenwriter whose work includes Doctor Who\, Kensuke’s Kingdom and\, with Danny Boyle\, the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. Expect wit\, warmth\, insight and plenty of memorable book recommendations. \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-frank-cottrell-boyce/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Frank-Cottrell-Boyce-photo-credit-Rich-Barr-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261012T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261012T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260820T094349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T094531Z
UID:14379-1791792000-1791824400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Ian McMillan
DESCRIPTION:Beloved poet\, broadcaster and performer Ian McMillan launches his moving and inventive new collection Red River Valley. Drawing on family life\, everyday absurdities and the impact of austerity on the South Yorkshire village where he has lived all his life\, Ian creates poems that are funny\, poignant and full of humanity.   \nRenowned for his warmth\, wit and extraordinary live readings\, he brings language vividly to life on the page and on stage. Join one of Britain’s most treasured poets for a celebration of storytelling\, community and the power of words.   \n‘World-class – one of today’s greatest poetry performers’ Carol Ann Duffy  \nHosted by Becky Swain.   \nA Manchester Literature Festival event co-presented with Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Metropolitan University. Supported by Library Live.  \nIan McMillan was born in Barnsley. He published his first Carcanet book of poems\, The Changing Problem\, in 1980. His collections include Selected Poems (a Poetry Book Society Recommendation)\, I Found this Shirt and To Fold the Evening Star. He has hosted The Verb\, BBC Radio 4’s arts programme since 2002\, and been Barnsley Football Club’s poet-in-residence and Yorkshire TV’s Investigative Poet. \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-ian-mcmillan/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ian-McMillan-PHOTO-Jody-Moore-Bolder-Visual-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261010T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261010T203000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260622T084953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260622T085139Z
UID:13917-1791658800-1791664200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Emily St. John Mandel
DESCRIPTION:Bestselling Canadian author Emily St. John Mandel joins us to discuss her electrifying new novel Exit Party – exploring parallel worlds\, political unrest and blurred realities.   \nIn a near-future Los Angeles emerging from conflict\, Ari Walker and her friend Gloria are going to a party.  But the party becomes the site of something inexplicable\, drawing Ari into a mystery that will haunt her across decades and continents. Elegant\, suspenseful and emotionally charged\, Exit Party explores memory\, freedom\, art and the fragile boundaries between realities.   \nEmily St. John Mandel blends literary fiction with speculative suspense in the unforgettable style that made Station Eleven an international success. Hosted by Andrew McMillan.   \nEmily St. John Mandel is the internationally acclaimed author of seven novels\, including The Glass Hotel\, Sea of Tranquility and Station Eleven\, winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and adapted into a celebrated television series on HBO Max. Her work has been translated into 34 languages.   \nA Manchester Literature Festival event.  \nTickets £12 / £10  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nBooking tickets here or ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-emily-st-john-mandel/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Emily_SJM_Portraits3132finalflatsquarecroppreview-LL-cropped.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261008T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261008T123000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260924T115220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T115410Z
UID:14805-1791453600-1791462600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:The Windrush Prize: Playwriting Tips & History of Black Theatre
DESCRIPTION:Brought to you by the Windrush prize in collaboration with Dr Kate Dorney\, Senior lecturer in drama at Manchester University. \n\n\n\n\nJoin us for our fifth workshop! We’re taking it to Manchester\, where we’ll be offering practical playwriting tips\, advice on story and structure\, writing resources\, and guidance on how to apply. Meet fellow British Caribbean playwrights\, share experiences\, and ask all the need to know questions! \nWe look forward to welcoming playwrights at all stages of their writing journey for an exciting session. \nFree – Booking advised by clicking on ‘Book Now’ below\, or via the Eventbrite link here
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/the-windrush-prize-playwriting-tips-history-of-black-theatre/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/TWP-MCR-MINI-POSTER-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261006T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261006T193000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260728T133548Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T104546Z
UID:14217-1791311400-1791315000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Can't Get You Out Of My Head: In Search of Kylie - Michael Cragg in conversation
DESCRIPTION:Kylie Minogue is one of the world’s most successful pop stars\, and in his new book\, Can’t Get You Out of My Head\, music journalist Michael Cragg takes us on a hugely entertaining journey from her early days on Ramsey Street to her current status as global icon. We’re thrilled to be welcoming Michael to Manchester Central Library on Tuesday 6th October when he’ll be chatting all things Kylie! The talk will be followed by an audience Q&A and booksigning. \nTickets are £6.00 each or £25.00 including a copy of Can’t Get You Out of My Head \nEvent starts at 6:30pm (doors at 6pm) \nAbout the book: \nFrom her late-eighties beginnings – capturing our hearts as Charlene in Neighbours – to her gold-plated hits like ‘Spinning Around’ and ‘Padam Padam’ soundtracking the euphoria of dancefloors the world over\, Kylie Minogue is a modern-day icon. But\, having sold over eighty-million records internationally and becoming the bestselling Australian pop star of all time\, who is the ‘real’ Kylie? And how has she remained a mystery while also navigating a forty-year career in the fickle world of pop? \nPop-academic and award-winning writer Michael Cragg takes us on a journey into the psyche of one of the world’s most enigmatic pop stars. Via a mix of brand new interviews\, a dash of oral history and some joyfully irreverent music writing\, Can’t Get You Out of My Head aims to put the puzzle pieces together. \n“Michael Cragg is the greatest chronicler of modern pop and he has found the perfect subject. Any story that takes in Neighbours\, Nick Cave and Pete Waterman needs to be told this well” – Josh Widdicombe \n“Cragg investigates the beautiful enigma that is Kylie\, interweaving pin-sharp journalism\, personal experience and a deeply held belief in the power and wonder of perfect pop. Funny\, clever and touching\, this book is a delight” – Miranda Sawyer \nAbout the author: \nMichael Cragg is a journalist and author from London. His work has appeared in the Guardian\, the Observer\, Vogue\, i-D\, GQ\, BEAT\, Popjustice\, the BBC\, Out and the Sunday Times. His first book\, Reach For The Stars\, an oral history of 90s and 00s UK pop\, won the Penderyn Music Book Prize in 2024. Keen to focus on pop artistes that perhaps haven’t always received the recognition they deserve\, his second book\, Can’t Get You Out of My Head: In Search of Kylie\, is about the diminutive Australian hitmaker. During his tenure at the pop coalface he’s interviewed the likes of Lady Gaga\, Miley Cyrus\, Rosalía\, Björk\, Little Mix\, Britney Spears\, Robbie Williams and Robyn.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/cant-get-you-out-of-my-head-in-search-of-kylie-michael-cragg-in-conversation/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Book Launch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SERENITY-BOOKSELLERS-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261005T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261005T200000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260904T140606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T143334Z
UID:14538-1791208800-1791230400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Civic Week Centenary 1926-2026
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Manchester’s Civic Week with a spectacular showcase of the best of our city’s heritage as industrial powerhouse and modern icon of global communities! \nDiscover the History of Civic Week 1926 – 2026  Archives Exhibition (Ground Floor) \n125 years of Manchester Tramways exhibition – explore the history of Manchester’s electric tramways from 1901 to the present day. (First Floor stairs) \nCivic Week Celebration schedule (Performance Space): \n2pm – Lord Mayor’s Welcome \n2-5pm – Civic Week Fair including film shows\, Our Town Hall\, Manchester Family History\, Threads of a City tapestry project\, and lots more! Plus free light refreshments \n2.20pm – Who Lived in the Town Hall? – short talk by John Henshall \n3-4pm – Understanding Place and Communities creative workshop with Aiden Jolly\, Manchester Histories \n3-4pm – Make your own Manchester Doll to take home! (Children aged 8yrs+ ) \n6.30pm – A City Speaks 1946 –film & talk by North West Film Archive \n\nFree – just drop in \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/civic-week-centenary-1926-2026/
LOCATION:Performance Space
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1926-badge.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261003T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261003T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260907T141231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T114003Z
UID:14619-1791036000-1791043200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Fun Palaces
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to celebrate Fun Palaces weekend at Central Library with a whole afternoon dedicated to the Mid-Autumn Festival\, one of the most important festivals in the Chinese calendar! \nJoin us for an afternoon of traditional Chinese music\, interactive workshops and lantern-making with Manchester Confucius Institute\, Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music and more. \nProgramme: \n2-4pm – Mooncake seal carving with Manchester Confucius Institute \nJoin us for an interactive workshop where we will be making mooncake seals using carrots and potatoes. Suitable for families. Alternative options available for younger children. \n2–2.10 pm – Chinese bamboo flute performance with Chinese Music Classroom \nShort performance on the dizi (Chinese bamboo flute)\, followed by a brief\, child-friendly introduction to the instrument. \n2.10–2.35 pm – Participatory music activity with Chinese Music Classroom \nJoin us for a simple group activity inspired by Kodály approaches and led by a Chinese music specialist using rhythm\, clapping\, call-and-response and easy pentatonic patterns. Designed for children and families of all abilities\, no previous musical experience required. \n2.35–3.50 pm – Mid-Autumn Festival craft activity with Chinese Music Classroom \nRelaxed drop-in craft activity\, where children and families can make small handheld Mid-Autumn lanterns featuring moon and Jade Rabbit designs to take home with them. \n3.50–4.00 pm – Musical close \nShort bamboo flute performance and informal sharing of some of the lanterns made during the afternoon. \nSuitable for families. \nFree – drop in.  \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/fun-palaces-3/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fun-Palaces-Mid-Autumn-Festival-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260930T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260930T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260910T104858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T104858Z
UID:14646-1790755200-1790787600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Talk: Schinkel in Manchester 1826-2026
DESCRIPTION:An evening with staff of the Manchester School of Architecture celebrating the 1826 visit to  Manchester of the Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel which will include discussion of the making of architectural models of buildings in Manchester and Berlin\, an exploration of the influence of his visit and an opportunity to play Schinkel Bingo. \nFree – please drop in \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/talk-schinkel-in-manchester-1826-2026/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_7567-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260926T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260926T150000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260901T135839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T121927Z
UID:14500-1790427600-1790434800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Saturday Afternoon Fever!
DESCRIPTION:We’re celebrating ‘Older Peoples Day’ with a special Saturday afternoon singalong with the brilliant Dee Dee Allen! \nWe’re inviting local community groups for over 55’s to get your dancing shoes on for an afternoon full of classic tracks from the 70’s to the 90’s! \nPlaces are free but limited so please phone Central Library on 0161 234 1932 to book a table for your group. Hot drinks and cake will also be served during the afternoon. Our Central Library cafe will also be open offering a range of sandwiches and hot meals to purchase.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/saturday-afternoon-fever/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Saturday-afternoon-fever-banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260924T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260924T200000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260813T082835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T083426Z
UID:14316-1790272800-1790280000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Generations of Love: A Queer Up North Panel Event
DESCRIPTION:Join Manchester Histories and Queer Up North for a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how queer culture can build community\, connect generations and sustain radical creative practice. Reflecting on the legacy of Queer Up North\, the conversation will consider what the festival built\, what it inherited\, and what we can learn from it today. The panel will also explore how we can maintain spaces for transgressive\, experimental work and radical queer practice in an increasingly commercial world. \nChaired by John E. McGrath\, the discussion features Gavin Barlow\, Dr Phoebe Patey-Ferguson and Claud Cunningham\, bringing together artists\, producers and cultural leaders to reflect on the past\, present and future of queer culture. \nBook your free tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/generations-of-love-a-queer-up-north-panel-event/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/54782600808_90b82ae80a_c.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260923T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260923T193000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260826T104304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T101602Z
UID:14479-1790186400-1790191800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Crime Central
DESCRIPTION:Calling all Crime Fiction fans… \n\n\n\n\nNot long now until the next Crime Central!!\nThis month\, Rob Parker is welcoming Remi Kone\, Alis Hawkins and MRG Davies to Central Library!\n\n\n\n\n\nBringing the best from all over!\nFeaturing the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country – the big names are all coming to Manchester! \nGo behind the scenes!\nShowcasing blockbuster bestsellers\, emerging talent and industry insiders\, Crime Central will share the real story of what goes on in the crime world. \nMeet your favourite authors!\nWith giveaways\, audience interaction\, book signings\, the chance to ask questions and more – while bringing a crime fiction buzz back to this great northern city.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/crime-central-27/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Crime-Central-logo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260922T173000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260922T184500
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260916T104951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T104951Z
UID:14693-1790098200-1790102700@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Our Town Hall Heritage Evening Lecture with Hankinson Heritage
DESCRIPTION:Manchester Town Hall closed in 2018 for major restoration to repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work includes conservation of many original heritage features. \n\n\n\n\nThe Heritage Lectures in Central Library shine a light on some of this fascinating work and the next one – on Tuesday 22 September – will focus on the decorative paintwork restorations that have been made inside the building\, with a presentation by Phyllis Smith of Hankinson Whittle. \nThe Hankinson’s Heritage team is made up of highly skilled decorators and artists\, who undertake projects of varying scales\, encompassing the restorative work that is so important to maintain structural integrity and historical features of older buildings. At Manchester Town Hall they’ve worked on ceilings throughout the main corridors of the ground and first floors as well as the State Rooms. \nFind out more and book your free tickets here.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/our-town-hall-heritage-evening-lecture-with-hankinson-heritage/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Heritage,Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Hankinsons-colour-20240716-DSC_4089-OTH-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260919T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260919T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260813T102147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T075151Z
UID:14326-1789826400-1789833600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Italian Kids present La Pimpa
DESCRIPTION:Join Italian Kids for a fun-filled afternoon and celebrate La Pimpa\, the beloved Italian children’s book character created by Altan. Enjoy themed crafts\, stories and games! Italian Kids is an association of Italian-speaking parents who meet regularly to allow their children to make new friends\, play\, sing and practise Italian together. \nFree entry – book tickets here or click Book Now below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/italian-kids-present-la-pimpa/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Italian-Kids.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260828T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260828T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260713T133121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T133206Z
UID:14099-1787922000-1787932800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Film Fridays
DESCRIPTION:Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films! Watch a family classic on the library’s huge screen\, get involved in music-themed crafts and find out how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.  \nFree entry\, just drop in.  \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/film-fridays/2026-08-28/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Film-Friday-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260826T173000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260826T193000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260803T140304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T105250Z
UID:14254-1787765400-1787772600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Summer Cosy Reading Club
DESCRIPTION:Bring a book\, get comfortable and stay cool in our quiet\, air-conditioned reading space. Take some time for yourself and escape into a story! \nJoin our Cosy Reading Club at Manchester Central Library\, a silent reading group offering a peaceful\, shared experience to unwind with a good book and chat with fellow book lovers. There are no pressured discussions\, no set texts and no forced expectations\, just quiet time to read in comfortable surroundings and the calming company of others. Whether you’re looking for a gentle break at the end of a busy day\, a calm refuge away from the rush hour traffic or simply a cool\, comfortable place in the heart of the city to explore your next favourite book. \nCome cool down at the library this summer. Public libraries are welcoming\, relaxing spaces for everyone and our Cosy Reading Club is the perfect place to unwind. Enjoy a fully air‑conditioned room\, comfortable seating\, light\, cooling refreshments and a peaceful atmosphere as part of our ‘Cool Spaces’ initiative to help offer our communities some respite from the heat during the Summer months. \nDon’t have a book? No problem! Come along at 5.30pm to get help from our friendly library staff before the session begins (at 6pm) to get personalised help from our friendly library team and find your next favourite book! \nFree – book your free tickets on Eventbrite here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/summer-cosy-reading-club/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SCRC-featured.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260825T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260825T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260424T114411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T110932Z
UID:13503-1787644800-1787677200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents An Evening with Mieko Kawakami
DESCRIPTION:PLEASE NOTE – THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT! \nJoin us for an unmissable evening with one of Japan’s most celebrated young novelists.   \nThe Booker-shortlisted author of Heaven and Breasts and Eggs\, Mieko Kawakami makes a rare visit to the UK to launch Sisters in Yellow\, a gripping\, stylish noir set in Tokyo’s shadowy underbelly.   \nHana is fifteen\, hopeful and living in a tiny Tokyo apartment with her mother\, with no money and no security. Then Kimiko enters her life – a bright\, magnetic force who offers escape. Together they open Lemon\, a shabby bar that becomes a fragile haven of friendship\, independence and possibility. For a moment\, Hana feels invincible. In the narrow alleys of Sangenjaya however\, nothing is as it seems\, and hope can quickly turn to danger.   \nTwenty years later\, Kimiko stands trial for a shocking crime\, and Hana must confront her own past and its devastating consequences.  \nDark\, hypnotic and utterly compelling\, Sisters in Yellow confirms Mieko Kawakami as one of the great writers of her generation.  Join us as she discusses sisterhood\, betrayal and the stories that haunt us.  \n‘This is not the Japan you find in novels about cats\, cafés and bookshops. Kawakami draws back this cosy façade to reveal the grimy reality underneath — and she does it with consummate style. With Sisters in Yellow\, she proves she is still the most exciting Japanese novelist at work today’ The Times  \n‘I can never forget the sense of pure astonishment I felt when I first read Mieko Kawakami’ Haruki Murakami  \nMieko Kawakami is the acclaimed author of the internationally best-selling novel Breasts and Eggs\, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and one of Time’s Best 10 Books of 2020. Her other novels\, translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd\, include Heaven\, shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize\, and All the Lovers in the Night. In 2024\, Sisters in Yellow won the Yomiuri Prize for Literature in Japan. Her books\, translated into over forty languages\, are known for their insights into the female body\, and philosophical questions surrounding gender\, class\, and ethics in modern society. Born in Osaka\, Kawakami lives in Tokyo\, Japan.  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nBooking tickets here or ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-an-evening-with-mieko-kawakami/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Mieko-Kawakami-photo-cropped-for-LL.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260821T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260821T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260713T133121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T133206Z
UID:14098-1787317200-1787328000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Film Fridays
DESCRIPTION:Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films! Watch a family classic on the library’s huge screen\, get involved in music-themed crafts and find out how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.  \nFree entry\, just drop in.  \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/film-fridays/2026-08-21/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Film-Friday-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260819T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260819T193000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260805T091614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T091614Z
UID:13124-1787162400-1787167800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Crime Central
DESCRIPTION:Crime Central is the monthly crime and thriller fiction event at Manchester Central Library. \n\n\n\n\nAnother bumper author panel in August! \nWe bring you Natalie Chandler\, TM Payne\, May Rinaldi and Claire Wilson!! \nBringing the best from all over!\nFeaturing the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country – the big names are all coming to Manchester! \nGo behind the scenes!\nShowcasing blockbuster bestsellers\, emerging talent and industry insiders\, Crime Central will share the real story of what goes on in the crime world. \nMeet your favourite authors!\nWith giveaways\, audience interaction\, book signings\, the chance to ask questions and more – while bringing a crime fiction buzz back to this great northern city.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/crime-central-26/
LOCATION:Performance Space
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Crime-Central-logo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260818T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260818T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260622T090605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T095406Z
UID:13931-1787058000-1787068800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Cosplay Teen Event
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this accessible and inclusive cosplay event for teens that has been co-created with young people. Come in your best cosplay outfit\, it might be bought or made by hand\, it could be cosplay or wardrobe play\, it can be anime\, manga or book related. \n\nCrafts\nCosplay competition\nInterview with Milliner for TV and film Julia C Walker\nSelfie area\nChill out area\nStalls selling related items\n\nThe event will be held in the Performance Space which will be closed to the public without a ticket. \nPhotography of participants will only be allowed with express permission of the attendees.  \nOpen to young people aged 12-18. All adults must be accompanied by a 12–18-year-old or you may be refused entrance. \nFree – please book via this Eventbrite link or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/cosplay-teen-event/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Teen-Cos-Play-poster-slide.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260814T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260814T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260713T133121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T133206Z
UID:14097-1786712400-1786723200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Film Fridays
DESCRIPTION:Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films! Watch a family classic on the library’s huge screen\, get involved in music-themed crafts and find out how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.  \nFree entry\, just drop in.  \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/film-fridays/2026-08-14/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Film-Friday-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260810T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260810T150000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260713T135050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T102052Z
UID:14113-1786370400-1786374000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Summer Reading Challenge: Feel the Beat with Drumroots!
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to move\, groove\, and feel the rhythm! Drumroots brings the heart of Africa to life with high-energy drumming\, vibrant beats\, and joyful vibes. Whether you’re clapping\, dancing\, or drumming along\, this is your chance to connect through rhythm and let the music tell a story. No experience needed\, just bring your hands and your happy feet!! Suitable for ages 4-11. Space is limited.  \nBook your free spot via this Eventbrite link  \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/summer-reading-challenge-feel-the-beat-with-drumroots/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Drumroots-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260807T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260807T160000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260713T133121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260713T133206Z
UID:14096-1786107600-1786118400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Film Fridays
DESCRIPTION:Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films! Watch a family classic on the library’s huge screen\, get involved in music-themed crafts and find out how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.  \nFree entry\, just drop in.  \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/film-fridays/2026-08-07/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Film-Friday-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260803T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260806T170000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260716T141930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T142146Z
UID:14182-1785744000-1786035600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Race Centre Summer School
DESCRIPTION:Come along if you are between 15-19 years old\, of any background\, and interested in anti-racism\, local histories\, creative practices. There will be 8 sessions (one morning and one afternoon per day)\, and you can attend all or as many as you wish. Food\, drinks and necessary equipment will be provided. \n \n  \n 
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/race-centre-summer-school/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Summer-School-2026-flyer-cropped-for-LL.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260723T173000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260723T193000
DTSTAMP:20261107T162110
CREATED:20260421T131942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T080854Z
UID:13466-1784827800-1784835000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Summer Cosy Reading Club
DESCRIPTION:Bring a book\, get comfortable and stay cool in our quiet\, dedicated reading space. Take some time for yourself and escape into a story! \nJoin our Cosy Reading Club at Manchester Central Library\, a silent reading group offering a peaceful\, shared space to unwind with a good book and talk with fellow book lovers. There’s no pressured discussions\, no set text and no forced expectations\, just quiet time to read in comfortable surroundings and the calming company of others. Whether you’re looking for a gentle break at the end of a busy day\, a calm refuge away from the rush hour traffic or simply a cool\, comfortable place in the heart of the city to explore your next favourite book. \nCome cool down at the library this summer. Public libraries are welcoming\, relaxing spaces for everyone\, and our Cosy Reading Club is the perfect place to unwind. Enjoy a fully air‑conditioned room\, comfortable seating\, light refreshments\, and a peaceful atmosphere as part of our ‘Cool Spaces’ initiative to help offer our communities some respite from the sun during the Summer months. \nDon’t have a book? No problem! Come along at 5.30pm to get help from our friendly library staff before the session begins (at 6pm) to get personalised help from our friendly library team and find your next favourite book! \nWhat to expect: \n5:30pm – Doors open \nSettle into your favourite chair and grab a free cool refreshment or hot drink\nBring your own book or choose one from our curated displays\nLibrary staff will be on hand to help you find a book you won’t want to put down \n6:00 – 7pm – Quiet Reading Hour \nQuiet\, individual reading in a shared\, relaxed space\nA calm\, welcoming environment to slow down\, breathe and immerse yourself in a world of words \n7:00 – 7:30pm – Optional Sharing Time \nA gentle facilitated opportunity to chat about what you’ve been reading with fellow book lovers\nThis is completely optional with no pressure to stay or take part\nFree light refreshments are provided. Stay for as long or as little as you like. \nBook your ‘pay what you can’ tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/cosy-reading-club-3/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Reading
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CRC-July-EventBrite-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR