Libraries

Libraries are more than just a collection of informational sources. They are the soul of a city. In that regard, Manchester has a lot of soul, as it has several very interesting libraries. And we had the good fortune to visit some of them.

"John Rylands Library" - Opened in 1900 by Enriqueta Rylands in memory of her husband, it now is part of the University of Manchester library. Mrs. Rylands had bought the property for the library in 1889 and had originally intended it to be for a collection of theological works. In fact, she had the building designed to resemble a church. Today, it's collection includes many medieval illuminated manuscripts, examples of early European printings, and an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible. This is a wonderful place to visit.

The John Rylands Library on Deansgate Road, Manchester, UK. It's special collection of medieval illuminated manuscripts is believed to be the largest in the UK.

The main reading room makes you feel like you are in a church.

Viewing the reading room from the balcony level is even more impressive.

A first edition of "Ulysses" by James Joyce is part of the library's collection.

"Papyrus 52" is a fragment of the Gospel of John.

One of the library's highlights is a copy of the Gutenberg Bible.

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"Portico Library" - This independent subscription library was built between 1802 and 1806 and was once described as "... the most refined little building in Manchester." A group of Manchester's businessmen had created the idea for this library as an "... Institute uniting the advantages of a newspaper and a library." The focus was to be on 19th century literature. Its architecture is in the Greek Revival style and is considered to be the first of its type in the city. The ground floor of the building houses "The Bank" , a restaurant that resembles the Bank of Athens. The Portico library is on the second floor and its reading rooms are open to members only. When we first visited this little library, we were amazed by its grandeur and elegance. It is definitely worth seeing.
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The Portico Library building was built in the Greek Revival style. While the ground floor now houses the Bank restaurant, the library is on the second floor. You gain access to the library through the door on the right side of the building in this photo.

The main room of the library is illuminated by this beautiful ceiling skylight.

One of several private reading rooms open to members only.

While browsing through any of the library's 25,000 volumes, members can also enjoy a spot of tea and a light snack.

Writer/poet William Gashell was a pioneer of education for the working class and a patron of the library.

Even the librarians' desks are surrounded by 19th century literature.

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"Chetham Library" - Located on the grounds of the Chethem School of Music, the Chetham library is the oldest free public reference library in the UK. Humphrey Chetham founded this library in 1653 and it has been in continuous use since then. It contains over 100, 000 volumes of works published before 1851. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles met here in 1845 to discuss social politics. Of all the libraries we've visited, this probably is our favorite.

The 15th century Baronal Hall houses the Chetham Library.

Just one corridor of the library's stacks. We felt like we were walking through a private library in a huge mansion or palace.

This main reading room was so elaborately decorated that it took our breath away.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels sat around this alcove table just off of the reading room, and discussed their philosophies of society.

One of the delightful features of Chetham's library was this old secretary's desk with its many chained manuscripts. We hadn't seen anything like this before.

Baronal Hall was once used for grand banquets during medieval times.

Part of an old printing press on exhibit in the library.