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Chetham’s Library has been in continuous use as a free public library for over 350 years. It is housed in a beautiful sandstone building dating from 1421 which was built to accommodate the priests of Manchester’s Collegiate Church.

The entire collection at Chetham’s Library has been designated as one of national and international importance, an accolade of which we are extremely proud.

The Library began acquiring books in August 1655, and has been adding to its collections ever since. As well as a fine collection of early printed books, the collections include a wealth of ephemera, manuscript diaries, letters and deeds, prints, paintings and glass lantern slides.

Events Guide

Autumn-Winter 2018-2019

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Visiting the library

Timed admissions for visitors

  • Mon-Fri
  • 10:00
  • 11:00
  • 12:00
  • 14:00
  • 15:00
  • 16:00

We operate a timed entry system for visitors. Times are listed above. Please gather at the Long Millgate entrance, and a guide will bring you over to the Library.

Please note that the Library will occasionally need to close to visitors. We will always try to make sure closures are advertised well in advance on this website and on social media, but if you are travelling a distance, or if your visit is of particular importance, we suggest you contact us in advance.

Entry to the Library is free, but we ask for a suggested minimum donation of £3.

For a closer look at the Library, including access to the medieval building, we offer guided tours through our partner Jonathan Schofield which can be booked through his website.

For more information please see our visiting page.

Book a Library Tour

If you wish to consult the collection, Chetham’s Library is open to readers Monday to Friday 9.00am-12.30 and 1.30-4.30pm by prior appointment. Please email us or call 0161 834 7961.

What's On

  1. 11 Oct
    6.30pm

    An Evening with Professor Bill Sherman: The Invention of Printing and the Birth of Secrecy

    Full details
  2. 12 Oct
    6pm

    Drawing in Drag by Marie Duval – Exhibition Preview and Book Launch

    Full details
  3. 13 Oct
    11am

    Strange Perfume – A Queer Culture Book Fair

    Full details
  4. 13 Oct
    2pm

    Queer Zine Workshop with Brigid Elva and Cherry Styles

    Full details
  5. 14 Oct
    12noon

    Creating Comics Practical Workshop with Simon Grennan

    Full details
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Blog

  1. The Pringle Collection

    Our volunteer Paul Carpenter writes about the collection of the late Ian Pringle: The Library...

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  2. The Belle Vue Scenic Railway – our Special Correspondent writes

    Today’s blog post is a guest contribution from Jon Cocks, who not only worked on...

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  3. Dr Dee at Chetham’s – a view from illustrator Catherine Booth

    We often host classes of one kind of another at the Library, and it’s always...

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Humphrey Chetham

Humphrey Chetham (1580–1653), the most successful gentleman merchant of seventeenth-century Lancashire, was born in Crumpsall, near Manchester. His fortune was made in the cloth trade, mainly in buying and...

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