Links to Central Library sources
Some items are only available in our Special Collections. These will need to be booked in advance.
- Illustration showing the opening of the new Manchester Free Library Illustrated London News 11 Sep, 1852 F072I8
- Manchester Free Library Report of the proceedings at the public meetings held in the library, Camp Field, Manchester 027.442M16
- George Hatton The inauguration of the Manchester Free Library September 2nd, 1852 - a poem 027.442M18
- Subscribers to the Manchester Free Library 027.442M5
- W R Credland The free library movement in Manchester 027.442M11
- Catalogue of the Books in Manchester Free Library. Reference Department in 3 volumes:
- Vol. 1 1864 019.1Ma10
- Vol. 2 Comprising additions from 1864 to 1879 019.1Ma(198)
- Vol. 3 Index of Names and Subjects 018.1Ma(549)
- Martin Hewitt Confronting the modern city the Manchester Free public library, 1850-80 027.242733He(836)
- James Croston First Free Library in Manchester 027.442M34
- W R Credland The Manchester Public Free Libraries: A History and Description and Guide to their Contents and Use 1899 027.442M4 (a digitised copy is available on the Internet Archive.)
- Manchester Central Library an illustrated record with an account of the official opening by His Majesty King George V, 17 July 1934 027.442733Ma(831)
- Manchester goes forward - a brief survey of the city's progress, issued on the occasion of His Majesty the King's visit to honour us by opening the new Central Library, 17th July 1934 942.738 N12 Includes programme of the King George V’s visit to open the new library and an article on the new library
- Manchester Central Library 027.442M41 c1934. Booklet including some technical information and a list of contractors
- A guide to Manchester Central Library 027.44273Man(092) c1995. Booklet showing floors/plan of library
- 150 Years on the City’s books 027.442733Ma(760) c2002. Booklet.
- Manchester Review vols 1-13, covering 1936-74 was published by Manchester Libraries and contains some articles on Central Library 027.442M62
- Manchester Central Library: a landmark transformation project Q711.551Man(933)
- Dan Dubowitz Manchester Central Library and Town Hall Extension transformation [photographs] F711.551MAN(773)
- Manchester Central Library refurbishment : stage D report appendices FF711.551MAN(780)
- Manchester Town Hall complex conservation plan : Manchester Central Library - gazzetteer of rooms and spaces / compiled by John H. G. Archer for Building Design Partnership, Manchester q727.824427Arc(264)
- Town Hall Extension and Central Library, Manchester heritage issues q711.551STE(210)
- Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture Ltd Town Hall Extension and Central Library, Manchester significance drawings f711.551STE(211)
- E Vincent Harris The Manchester Reference Library q727.824427Ha(158)
Archives sources
Please note these items need to be booked in advance
- Manchester Public Libraries Collection Search under GB127.740 (in Ref. No) on the Archives Catalogue
- There are plans of the current building in our Building Control Plan collection GB127.M900/1/2/3/7
- We also hold minutes of the various Manchester Corporation/City Council committees in the Archives Catalogue:
- Libraries Committee 1852-1970: search under GB127.Council Minutes/Libraries (in Ref. No.)
- Cultural Committee 1970-1984: search under GB127.Council Minutes/Cultural (in Ref. No.)
- Leisure Committee 1984-1988: search under GB127.Council Minutes/Leisure (in Ref. No.)
Photographs
Our Local Image Collection has many photographs of Central Library. You will also find images of earlier buildings under Manchester Free Library and Manchester Temporary Central Library (for an explanation of the various buildings see History of Central Library)