Good Things Foundation Visit to Chorlton Library

The new Chief Executive of the Good Things Foundation, Vicki Sellick, visited Chorlton Library this month to see the great service we offer to customers to support them to become confident online users.

Chinese New Year 2026 – Central Library

On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February, Manchester Central Library welcomed visitors for a vibrant weekend of celebrations marking the Year of the Horse. Families enjoyed a full programme of hands-on cultural activities, creative workshops, and live performances throughout the two days. Festivities began on Saturday with a series of engaging performances and craft activities delivered by Bowen Education. On Sunday, early visitors were treated to a spectacular Lion Dance to open the day, followed by a rich schedule of traditional music and dance from Bowen Education and the Manchester Chinese Centre. Families also took part in an energetic dragon and lion dance workshop, which proved to be a highlight.

Popular craft workshops returned once again, including lantern making with the Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music, bracelet making with the Manchester Confucius Institute, and printing and paper‑folding sessions led by artists Mandy Cleveland and Caroline Coates. Visitors also had the opportunity to try on traditional Chinese clothing, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Across the weekend, the library welcomed 4,000 visitors, making this one of the most well‑attended and memorable Chinese New Year events held at Manchester Central Library to date.

Making Manchester Fairer with Digital Devices

On Tuesday 10 February, the Digital Inclusion team visited Crowcroft Park Primary School in Longsight alongside colleagues from MAES and Flying Start to deliver a digital inclusion session for parents, as part of Making Manchester Fairer. During the visit, nine families received refurbished Asus laptops, helping to reduce barriers to online learning and ensuring children have the tools needed for schoolwork and homework.

Each family was supported to set up their device, connect to Wi‑Fi, and access key school websites, apps, and learning programmes. Three parents will also receive MiFi devices to provide reliable internet access at home. Families expressed strong appreciation, and the session demonstrated the significant difference that improved digital access can make to children’s education.

This work continued on Thursday 12 February at Park View Community School in Miles Platting, where 10 laptops and two MiFi devices were provided to families in need. Parents were again supported to get online confidently and navigate essential learning platforms. These visits highlight the vital role of digital inclusion in helping children thrive. Further sessions will take place through Spring, reaching a total of eight primary schools.

Meet Your Muslim Neighbours – Central Library

On Saturday 14 February, Manchester Central Library welcomed back the Meet Your Muslim Neighbours voluntary organisation, for a special free one-day community led event and exhibition about Islamic culture and Muslim people.

Hundreds or visitors dropped in to experience a day of fun and learning! Find out more about the Meet Your Muslim Neighbours: Explore Islam Exhibition and event at our Manchester Libraries blog.

Timeless Cyprus: Creative Sessions – Central Library

On Saturday 7 February, Manchester Central Library welcomed families for a wonderful art and theatre workshop organised by the Cyprus High Commission. A total of 25 children and 18 adults joined us for a creative, theatrical journey exploring themes of art, memory and home. The session introduced children and young people aged 6–14 to the world of Cypriot artist George Pol. Georgiou. Guided by his artworks, participants examined familiar objects that often appear in Georgiou’s paintings, such as chairs, houses, horses, and reimagined them as symbols of feelings, stories and lived experiences.

A simple chair became a keeper of memories; a house, a sense of belonging; light, both the sun of Cyprus and the hope we carry within us. Through movement, narration, observation and playful creativity, children encountered the artist’s work not as distant museum pieces, but as living stories filled with light, memory and emotion. The event concluded with a screening of The Myths of Cyprus by filmmaker Mark Kassinos, produced by the Press and Information Office in Cyprus.

Register Your Business Event & Black Business Meetup!

A standout event ‘Register Your Business’ took place on Tuesday 10 February to support entrepreneurs with the process, concluding with an impressive number of participants successfully formalising their businesses on the day. Designed exclusively for customers of Build A Business and Generator, the session offered personalised, one‑to‑one support to help attendees register with Companies House or set up as sole traders with HMRC. Unlike a standard group workshop, the event provided tailored, practical guidance shaped around each individual’s circumstances.
In addition to registration support, attendees were able to access expert advice through drop‑in clinics featuring accountants, business compliance specialists, and business advisors. A networking component also enabled new and emerging business owners to connect and share experiences. With limited spaces, the event maintained a focused atmosphere and delivered a high‑quality experience throughout.

On Thursday 19 February, the Business & IP Centre successfully launched the Black Business Meetup, expanding the business teams community engagement alongside the existing meetups with the Hong Kong and Ukrainian business communities. The event brought together Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members for an evening of networking and peer learning, with introductions to our key business support resources.

International Mother Language Day – North City Library

On Saturday 21 February, North City Library marked International Mother Language Day with a fantastic programme of activities. Families enjoyed captivating storytelling from Irish storyteller Neysa Killeen, alongside high‑energy Afro‑Brazilian drumming and dance led by Emma and Adriana from Global Grooves.

It was wonderful to see visitors moving so enthusiastically between the two sessions, fully absorbed in the stories one moment and bringing plenty of energy to the dancing the next! The event also featured badge‑making, scratch activities, a world‑music silent disco, and free dual‑language books generously provided by

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