Manchester Local Studies Library

Manchester Archives and Local Studies is moving. It is currently closed, but from Monday 28 June 2010 its archive collections will be available at the Greater Manchester County Record Office. Its local studies collections, microfilms and computer sources will be available at the Manchester Room@City Library.

More information about these new services.

Manchester Local Studies Library holds a large collection of printed material about the City of Manchester and its region, although we mainly concentrate on the city itself. From its origins as a Roman settlement to the medieval market town, through its important role during the industrial revolution, its development as a transport centre and inland port, and its present status as a centre of cultural and sporting excellence, Manchester has always played an important role in the history of England. All aspects of its emergence into the great city that we know today are covered in the Local Studies Library. We have compiled an introductory booklist for people unfamiliar with the history of our city.

In addition to books, pamphlets and newspapers, we also hold many visual items, such as photographs, line drawings, maps, posters, broadsides and ephemeral items which give a clearer picture of what life was like in Manchester through the centuries.

Electoral registers for the City of Manchester from 1832 to 2002 are available, all but the last 10 years being on microfilm.  Street directories covering Manchester from 1772 to 1969 are also available on microfilm.

We have a small collection of oral history cassettes on various local topics, which are available for loan. Please ask the staff at the counter for details and a list of topics covered.

We hope our extensive stock will help visitors research their particular interests in the city, whether they be people, places or events.