Festival of Libraries 2024

30 May 2024

Taking place in libraries across Greater Manchester between 12-16 June 2024

From Wednesday, 12 June to  Sunday, 16 June, Greater Manchester will once again celebrate the Manchester City of Literature Festival of Libraries – which promises a rich tapestry of events for all ages and interests. 

Authors, poets, performers, artists and historians will share their love for libraries and literature across the region’s many libraries. The Festival of Libraries’ vibrant programme offers exhibitions, author talks, performances, installations, live music, workshops, and international collaborations. These free events highlight the diverse offerings of libraries, showcasing their role as service, learning and creativity hubs which are open to all. 

Creative Manchester is delighted to be offering a series of free, public workshops for the Festival of Libraries celebrations, partnering with the Centre for New Writing, Linguistic Diversity Collective and Programme in American Studies. Some of these include:

• What’s in a Word, and What’s in a Dictionary?: This session delves into the meanings of everyday words and idiomatic phrases, offering insights into how dictionaries define words and how language learners acquire vocabulary. Run by the Linguistic Diversity Collective on Wednesday, 12 June at 3pm at the Portico Library.
• Writing for Wellbeing Workshops: Facilitated by professional writers from the Centre for New Writing, these workshops explore the positive effects of creative writing on mental health and wellbeing.  This session will take place on Thursday, 13 June  at 6pm at the  Ashton Library, on Friday, 14 June at 1pm at the Heywood Library, and on Saturday, 15 June at the Ramsbottom Library.
• Blackout the Jargon: Participants will engage in blackout poetry, finding meaning in scientific texts by selecting certain words and redacting the rest to create literary and visual works of art. Run by the Linguistic Diversity Collective on Friday, 14 June at 3pm at the Portico Library. 
• Tasting Children’s Literature – An Edible Readathon: An immersive experience and read-a-thon of classic and contemporary children’s literature aimed at young children aged 0-8. Run by the Programme in American Studies staff and students on Sunday, 16 June at 1pm at the Central Library. 
• One in Ten: An immersive audio experience allowing listeners to walk in the footsteps of those with the misunderstood condition of chronic cough. Run by the ‘Let’s Talk About Cough’ project on Wednesday, 12 June at 12pm, 2pm and 6pm at the Longsight Library, and on Thursday, 13 June at 12pm and 2pm at the Longsight Library.

More information on the Festival of Libraries 2024, including the full programme, can be found on the Manchester City of Literature website.