Manchester Central Library

History | John Rylands Library | Chetham’s Library | The Portico | Access

The circular Manchester Central Library near St. Peter’s Square in Manchester is a familiar landmark in the city.

It is a round, domed building with a columned portico somewhat reminiscent of the Pantheon in classical Rome. It is the second-largest public library in England after the Library of Birmingham.

The building is reminiscent of the Pantheon in ancient Rome

History

The structure was built in the 1930’s and designed by E. Vincent Harris (1876-1971). Harris was a prolific architect, responsible for many other civic buildings in Britain.

These include the Ministry of Defence Building in Whitehall, Kensington Central Library, both in London, as well as Leeds Civic Hall and Nottingham County Hall.

The library was built at the same time as an extension to Manchester Town Hall, also designed by Harris. When the building was opened in 1934 it was favorably viewed by critics.

Architect E. Vincent Harris (1876-1971) designed the building

Manchester was the first municipality in England to begin a public lending and reference library in 1852. Charles Dickens, no less, attended the opening of Manchester’s first library back then.

The interior is ornate and has some wonderful spaces including the Shakespeare Hall with beautiful stained glass windows by Robert Anning Bell and others.

The historic library closed between 2010 and 2014 for a complete refurbishment. After the refurbishment was complete, the Library Theatre Company, which once occupied the basement subsequently moved to HOME Manchester, at 2, Tony Wilson Place, south of the Spinningfields district.

The impressive Town Hall Extension

Manchester Libraries

The city of Manchester is also blessed with three other historic libraries.

John Rylands Library

John Rylands Library on Deansgate, founded by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands, the wife of the local industrialist, John Rylands, is a wonderful example of Victorian Gothic architecture. The wood-paneled rooms with stained glass hold a collection of rare books and other historical manuscripts.

John Rylands Library, Deansgate, Manchester

Chetham’s Library

Historic Chetham’s Library was founded in 1653 thus making it the oldest public library in Britain. It is part of a former manor house that also houses Chetham’s School of Music close to Manchester Cathedral. A meeting place of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 1840s, the library contains over 100,000 volumes with 60,000 published before 1851. These include books, broadsides, and other rare manuscripts.

The interior of the Portico Library

The Portico Library

The Portico Library on Mosley Street is a private library built between 1802 and 1806. Designed in the Greek Revival style, the library was financed by subscriptions from local business people. The library holds a collection of mainly 19th-century literature as well as illustrations, plates, journals, and quarterlies. The institution also awards the annual Portico Prize for Literature. Famous members have included John Dalton, Sir Robert Peel, the Reverend William Gaskell, and also the Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona.

Access – Getting There

Manchester Central Library
St Peter’s Square
Manchester M2 5PD
Tel: 0161 234 1983
www: manchester.gov.uk/centrallibrary

Hours: Monday – Thursday 9 am – 8 pm; Friday 9 am – 5 pm; Saturday 9 am – 5 pm; Sunday closed. The library building also includes a cafe and shop.

St. Peter’s Square is the nearest Metrolink station to the library.

St Peter’s Square Metrolink

Attractions

Read more about Manchester’s many attractions.

Hotels in Manchester

Recommended places to stay in Manchester include the five-star Lowry Hotel, the four-star, city-center Holiday Inn Manchester, and also the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.

Accommodation options near Manchester Central Library include the four-star The Midland, a luxury hotel with a spa, and The Edwardian with 5 stars located in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall.

See here for a listing of accommodation in Manchester to suit all budgets.