Manchester Central Library is hosting a 1930s-themed party this summer

It’s a year of celebrations for Manchester Central Library and the historic venue has some exciting plans lined up.

On Sun 16 Jun, for its historic 90th-anniversary celebrations, visitors will be treated to 1930s-themed performers in a special nod to the glitzy era of the grand opening.

The festivities will feature characters from the Mary Poppins book series, complete with an all-singing, all-dancing cast, including Mary Poppins herself, Bert and two soaring chimney sweepers and stilts.

Showcasing the best of Manchester’s coveted music scene, local musicians are set to perform in small, intimate gigs and packed jamming sessions in the library music performance area.

A special library card design competition will also launch giving every child in Manchester an opportunity to be gifted one of the cards which will be available for collection across all 22 of the city’s libraries.

A commemorative postcard will also be gifted, mirroring the handkerchief gift given to all of Manchester in 1934 as part of the venue’s grand opening.

On Wed 17 Jul, there’ll be a special showcase of the Central Library’s archive material through the years, and Love Stories etc Festival brings heartfelt retellings of contemporary romance fiction, book signings and author talks on Sat 18 Jul.

Elsewhere in the celebrations, Blue Peter Book Club Live takes over on Sat 18 May, Manchester Histories Festival runs across Fri 7 – Sat 8 Jun and the Festival of Libraries returns on Sun 16 Jun.

Manchester Central Library Summer Celebrations runs from May to July. More information about the programme can be found here.