In this blog post, MA students Xinyang Guo and Xiaoqian Ma reflect on their recent internship with Manchester City of Literature during preparations for the Festival of Libraries 2026.

Xinyang and Xiaoqian primarily focused on communications during their internship, though they weren’t afraid to get stuck in to some of the more hands-on festival preparation tasks, such as helping put together our Look for a Book packs. We were hugely impressed by their creativity and enthusiasm – keep reading to find out how they got on, in their own words…

Xinyang Guo, MA Creative and Cultural Industries Student at the University of Manchester:

Interning with the Festival of Libraries at Manchester City of Literature has been such a fun, creative, and unforgettable experience. From day one, I joined such a warm and energetic team. I dived straight into event planning, digital content creation, video shooting, and all the behind-the-scenes magic that makes this festival special.

One of my most memorable moments was working on Look For A Book—the festival’s exciting city-wide book treasure hunt. I helped prepare hidden books, design fun blog posts, and write interview questions for special guests. I am really looking forward to meet excited families on the day and see people light up when they found a book made all the hard work feel totally worth it.

My favourite thing I worked on was creating digital and social media content for the festival. I loved writing blog posts, brainstorming creative ideas, and filming short videos to show off Manchester’s wonderful libraries. I still can’t believe I got to write interview questions for Corinne Bailey Rae—being a fan, this moment was so exciting and surreal.

The best library I visited is Manchester Central Library. It has beautiful historic architecture, a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, and it feels like the heart of literary life in the city. It’s not just a place to read—it’s a space for connection, creativity, and curiosity.

This internship gave me so many skills, confidence, and happy memories. I’m so grateful to the whole Festival of Libraries team for being supportive, kind, and letting me be part of something so meaningful. If you love books, culture, and creativity, this internship is pure joy.

 

Xiaoqian Ma, MA Digital Media, Culture and Society Student at The University of Manchester:

I have been interning with Manchester City of Literature since February 2026. As I look back on this journey, I realise it has been not only a job, but also a precious and unforgettable chapter of my personal and professional growth.

My internship spanned the entire creative process from initial conceptualisation to final execution. I wrote official blog posts and identified potential local influencers for partnerships. I also supported the logistical preparations for offline events. These experiences have not only improved my skills in social media management and event planning, but have also helped me clarify my future career aspirations. Beyond the tasks themselves, I truly enjoyed the professional and relaxed atmosphere of the team, which taught me the value of effective collaboration.

One of the most memorable moments of my internship was participating in the “Look for a Book” campaign, particularly drafting the interview for our guest, Corinne Bailey Rae. Analysing her experience and translating it into materials for digital storytelling allowed me to witness the power of words in digital media. Additionally, producing the “Line Planning” videos for the Festival of Libraries was an absolute highlight, which aims to showcase Manchester’s charm as a vibrant literary capital through the camera.

Among all the libraries I visited, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library is absolutely my favourite. As a renowned cultural landmark in Manchester, its stunning Gothic architecture and rich history never fail to captivate me. What makes it even more special is the interior always reminds me of my favourite novel, Harry Potter.

In conclusion, my time at Manchester City of Literature has been incredibly rewarding. I am deeply grateful for the trust the team placed in me and for everything I have gained during this journey. I look forward to carrying this passion for the creative industries into my future career.

 

The Festival of Libraries will run from 10-14th June in libraries across Greater Manchester. There are over 100 events in the festival, most of which are free to attend, and you can find out more on this webpage.