Manchester’s first dedicated children’s library opens at Z-Arts

A new library designed by local children has opened its doors at Z-arts in Hulme.

The opening marks the region’s first dedicated children’s library. At just 362sqft the cosy setting crams in over 1,000 hand-selected books, many of which aren’t available to borrow anywhere else in the city.

Local children were invited to put forward their ideas of how the library should look, before theatre set designer Louise Ryder brought those sketches to life.

Diversity has been a key focus in shaping the library’s offering, with the team wanting to build a truer reflection of Manchester’s wide-ranging communities.

Alongside staples Paddington and the Chronicles of Narnia, Z-Arts also stock a number of titles by black and minority ethnic writers including Yasmin the Recycler, by Pakistani American author Saadia Faruqi, Amari and the Night Brothers, by African American author BB Alson, and Look Up, by dual heritage actor Nathan Byron, who was inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space.

Z-Arts have also pledged to work alongside schools and community groups to ensure every child in Hulme has a library card.

Tom Fletcher, bestselling author and star of McFly who recently did some filming in the brand-new library in the heart of Hulme said: “I love telling stories and feel that today, more than ever, it’s important that children have the opportunity to read a variety of books for free. The Children’s Library at Z-arts is so inspiring, a perfect space to read incredible stories.”

A programme of free activities for pre-schoolers (which must be booked here) run every Tuesday and Wednesday morning during term time, including Baby Book Club and Wriggle and Rhyme.