CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED
Libraries in Manchester
Manchester does libraries properly, and not just for borrowing books. The Manchester Poetry Library sits right in town, free to duck into, with a café if the kids need feeding afterwards. Over in Salford, the Working Class Movement Library puts on Friday afternoon tours through its archive of working class history, and Burnage Library keeps things simple with storytimes and Lego Club for under-11s. For toddlers, rhyme sessions turn up free at Eccles Public Library, Pendleton Library and Height Library, all in Salford, with holiday activities laid on for the older ones too. The Place at Platt Lane goes further, running drop-ins from baby rhymes to a teens poetry project. If your children are past the picture books, Chetham's Library is the one to save for last, a guided tour from £8.50 for ages 8+ through a 600-year-old building with medieval cat flaps. Wythenshawe Forum Library even does birthday parties built around football or swimming instead of cake.
12 places 9 free to visit
FreeAlan Gilbert Learning Commons
Manchester
A university library that lets you bring your child in if you book a group study room, with 24-hour access and a foyer café.
CaféToiletsWi-Fi
FreeBurnage Library
Manchester · ages 0-11
Storytimes, Lego Club and a garden Easter egg hunt, all free at this small local library.
Toilets
from £8.50Chetham's Library
Manchester · ages 8+
A guided tour through a 600-year-old library with a chained collection, medieval cat flaps and the desk where Marx and Engels studied.
Booking required
FreeEccles Public Library
Salford
Free rhymes sessions, a whole library of books for under 16s, and computers to use, all with no overdue fines to worry about.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingBlue badge parking+4 more
FreeHeight Library
Salford
Free rhyme time for under-fives and a quiet spot to borrow books, with holiday activities laid on too.
Accessible toiletParkingStep-free accessToilets+2 more
Levenshulme Old Library CIO
Manchester
A community arts space where kids can join drama sessions and take in exhibitions, with a café for afterwards.
Café
FreeManchester Poetry Library
Manchester
A free poetry library in town to duck into for a browse, with a café if the kids need feeding after.
Accessible toiletCaféFood on siteStep-free access+2 more
FreeOldham Library
Oldham
Free sessions for babies, toddlers and Lego fans, plus theatre shows that run from £5 to £10.
Accessible toiletBaby changeParkingSensory friendly+3 more
FreePendleton Library
Salford
A free, no-fuss library with Books and Rhymes sessions for under-fives and holiday activities laid on for older kids.
Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingParking+3 more
FreeThe Place at Platt Lane
Manchester
Free drop-in sessions for every age, from baby rhymes to a Saturday LEGO club and a teens poetry project.
FreeWorking Class Movement Library
Salford
A free library and archive of working class history in Salford, with exhibitions and Friday afternoon tours.
Accessible toiletStep-free accessToiletsWheelchair accessible
Wythenshawe Forum Library
Manchester
A library and leisure hub where the birthday party is football, roller skating or swimming, not just cake and balloons.
Bike parkingBirthday partiesBlue badge parkingCafé+4 more
Good to know: libraries in Manchester
Are any of them free?
Yes, Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, Burnage Library, Eccles Public Library, Height Library and 5 more are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £8.50 at Chetham's Library. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find libraries in Manchester, Salford and Oldham. Every place we list is in or around Manchester, and each listing has the full address and directions.
More ways to plan a day out
KEEP EXPLORING
Not a libraries day? Try another lane
THE WEEKENDER
Next weekend, sorted. Every Thursday, free.
The best family things happening around Manchester, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.
Free forever. One brilliant email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.