Reminding us of how precious libraries are to communities, equality, discovery and culture, the Manchester Festival of Libraries is filled with exhibitions, performances, installations, workshops, Family Friendly activities and international collaborations. It is made possible thanks to the support of Arts Council England.
This year's festival will have 'Inspired by Libraries' talks from the likes of Jordan Stephens, Yasmin Evans, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Bobby Joseph. There's also the Look For A Book hunt with Maggie Aderin-Pocock and workshops on all sorts of exciting subjects like DJ-ing, podcasting and acting.
Organised by Manchester UNESCO City of Literature, this year's festival will also see international artists visiting from other UNESCO Creative Cities, including Québec, ville de littérature Unesco, Kirjanduslinn Tartu, and Literature Nanjing.
See the full festival programme
Manchester's Libraries
Manchester is home to some of the finest historic libraries in the world, including Chetham’s Library, The Portico Library, Manchester Central Library and The John Rylands Library, which celebrates its 125th birthday this year. It will do so with the unveiling of a new Collections Gallery where 40 objects that echo the history and evolution of the library’s collections will be displayed, and a new Special Exhibitions Gallery, where The Secret Public: LGBTQ Pop 1955 – 1985 exhibition will be located. The new galleries will open at The John Rylands Library on Thursday 15 May and will be featured as part of the Festival of Libraries programme.
Reflecting the breadth of libraries in Greater Manchester, at the same time as one of its libraries reaches a grand old age, a bold new chapter is beginning in Stockport. Stockroom will open this spring – reimagining what a modern library can be. Designed with and for local people, but open to all, Stockroom will feature a children’s creative learning space, a café bar, archives, and an event space hosting a vibrant year-round programme. More than just a library, there’s room for everyone: to make noise, meet friends or find a bit of peace, play, take part, think and do new things. Details of how Stockroom will celebrate the Festival of Libraries will be revealed as part of its much-anticipated launch.
