The Festival of Libraries 2022 took place in June across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.

If you couldn’t make it to our in-person events, we’ve made the highlights available digitally right here on this page so you can access the festival from wherever you are.

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Inspired by Libraries

Our Inspired by Libraries strand featured some of our favourite literary icons around Greater Manchester libraries chatting about all the things that make libraries important to them. Catch up with the talks in full below.

Julie Hesmondhalgh in conversation with Nasima Bee at Tameside Library:

Mike Sweeney in conversation with Hannah Kate at Eccles Library:

Greg Jenner at Urmston Library:

Abigail Reynolds in conversation with Andrew McMillan at Manchester Poetry Library:

 

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Libraries as Sanctuary

Tune in to hear how we explore the ways in which libraries act as such vital places of sanctuary in both Manchester and Ukraine; how libraries can best support refugees; then hear more about the situation in Ukraine and how libraries are supporting people fleeing conflict; to discuss how reading and writing can support people dealing with war, displacement and trauma.

 

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In Prisms of Knowledge – A poem for Festival of Libraries 2022 by Manchester City Poet Ali Al-Jamri

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There’s lots more to catch up on digitally from the Festival of Libraries 2022, see below for videos from the local community sharing how they are part of their local library in the Me and My Library films, featuring Gorton Library, North City Library and Oldham Library.

There’s also our ever popular virtual library tours with Manchester writer Rosie Garland, who deftly shows you around the many independent heritage libraries such as The Portico Library, Chetham’s Library, The John Rylands Library, Manchester Poetry Library and Manchester Central Library.

If you’re new to the Festival of Libraries this year, there’s even more to get stuck into! You’ll love the Meet The Librarian films, sharing how Manchester librarians found their passion working in their local communities. Or hear from local community group the Bolton Library Wordsmiths as they read original writing created during the Festival celebrating their experiences of libraries.

Plus don’t miss the Inspired by Libraries strand from last year, still available to watch for free, featuring the likes of Michael Rosen, Gary Younge, Guy Garvey, Shirley May and Mike Garry, and Stuart Maconie.