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Michael Powell 1955-2019We are immeasurably sad to announce the devastating news that our brilliant and beloved friend and colleague Michael Powell died peacefully in his sleep on Monday 11 March. His love for Chetham’s Library, for the history of Manchester, for the knowledge he wore so lightly and for the people he shared it with was a gift to us all and he will never be forgotten. All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend his funeral at Manchester Cathedral on Friday 22 March at 2pm. Please let us know if you are intending to come. Please also note that Chetham's Library will be closed to all other readers and visitors for the whole day on Friday 22 March. X

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.

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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. 03 Apr
    1pm

    Lunchtime Talk with Verônica Calsoni | Pamphlet Wars: Roger L’Estrange and Printed Polemic in Restoration England

    Full details
  2. 18 Apr

    Family Friendly Chetham’s

    Full details
  3. 11 May
    11am

    Living Library

    Full details
  4. 16 May
    6.30/8pm

    Chetham’s Library Sundown Sessions curated by Hey! Manchester

    Full details
  5. 13 Jun
    7pm

    From Page to Screen: Researching ‘Peterloo’

    Full details
View all Events

Blog

  1. The ‘Godly English Books’ of the Gorton Chest

    The chained library in our reading room, also known as the “Gorton Chest”, is one...

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  2. From Historical Fact to Contemporary Fiction

    We recently enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University on their CPD course ‘From...

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  3. What’s it like to volunteer here?

    We’re always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our friendly team. If you enjoy meeting...

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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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