Location: Manchester
Top Things to do in Manchester
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What to do and see in Manchester, England: The Best Libraries
Famed for its soccer team and music scene, which has produced the likes of the Smiths and Oasis, this center for sports and the arts is a down-to-earth and friendly city. The so-called Capital of the North has overcome industrial decline, bombing (in WWII and by the IRA) to become a confident and cosmopolitan city of well over two million. It is well served by a bus and light rail network. Top attractions include the Lowry art complex, arcade Affleck's Palace and Canal Street gay village.
Restaurants in Manchester
1. The John Rylands Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,486 reviews
Welcome to The John Rylands Library, one of the world's finest collections of rare books and manuscripts. The John Rylands Library is part of The University of Manchester. Please note that we open at 12noon on Mondays and Sundays
Reviewed By bjchampness - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
This Gothic library was designed by Basin Champneys. The reading room is full of Victorian splender with large wooden bookcases rising to the ceiling, oak desks and tables It is a superb place to read a vast collection of books and manuscripts Originally access was via a grand staircase from the front doors on Deansgate. However a modern extension access to a gift shop and cafe. The modern reading room has modern facilities for the researcher
2. Manchester Central Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,100 reviews
Reviewed By FarAway802113 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Since the Bankers caused such chaos and we baled them out most large town libraries have gone part time with unmanned access and little in the way of jobs for librarians.Community Libraries stood no chance with many closing.After all why educate people as they will then be more aware of how they are being manipulated ? How refreshing to see a modern busy bustling library.Although I live in a neighboroughing Borough,which has been hammered by Tory Policies,I,m glad to report there is no such evidence of Austerity in the City Library.This is what Libraries should be like.No shush we're reading as a party of Primary school pupils came with their packed lunches.It was easy for me to join and a helpful member of staff admitted the screens were temperamental so helped me with the application on the touchscreen.I was soon delving into my family history alongside a volunteer.There are banks of computers along with books and archives.A top class facility befitting the splendid Victorian Architecture.Modern Manchester,up to date with a glance back at our history.
3. Chetham's Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
Chetham’s Library has been in continuous use as a public library for over 350 years. It is housed in a beautiful sandstone building dating from 1421 which was built to accommodate the priests of Manchester’s Collegiate Church.
Reviewed By Stay284801 - Burnley, United Kingdom
Cannot describe this library with enough superlatives! Only compact and I did have to pay a small fee (book online) to pay, but this space is a MUST to visit in my opinion. It drips with history in every nook, crevice and artefact. I sat at the same desk as Marx and Engels, read facsimiles of their books and stared through the same window (albeit the view has somewhat changed). We had a great tour guide who pointed out interesting facts and had a wealth of knowledge about the building. The original arched doors and corridors to the Priests rooms brought shivers of being in another time dimension. Come away feeling enriched!
4. Portico Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
The Portico Library is an independent subscription library, exhibitions space, café and shop in Manchester City Centre. Still housed in its original purpose-built venue on Mosley Street, it is now open free to the public five days a week for an eclectic calendar of exhibitions and events, complementing the unique collection of books, archives and illustrations spanning over 450 years. Previously a members’ only institution with associates including John Dalton, Peter Mark Roget, Elizabeth Gaskell, Emmeline Pankhurst, Robert Peel, Val McDermid and Eric Cantona, all visitors can now enjoy a meal or drink in the café from Monday to Friday and participate in diverse outreach and engagement programmes including the prestigious Portico Prize and Portico Sadie Massey Awards.
Reviewed By JulietteG181 - London, United Kingdom
I will be involved in an exhibition called Talking Sense at The Portico Library ???? with lots of other Artists 50 in total. I look forward to attending the PV ..and seeing this wonderful place..
5. Didsbury Library
6. Alexandria Library
We are an independent charity bookshop celebrating the cultural richness of the famous 'Curry Mile' of south Manchester and its unique diversity of people and communities. We feature an art exhibition space for artists whose works reflect the unique experiences and narratives of the diverse people groups of Rusholme, Manchester.
