Manchester Poetry Library

The North West’s first public poetry library, Manchester Poetry Library is located in the brand-new arts and humanities building (also home to the Manchester Writing School, Centre for Place Writing and Manchester School of Theatre) at Manchester Metropolitan University’s All Saints campus just off Oxford Road.

A public poetry library that welcomes all, Manchester Poetry Library’s mission is to widen access to poetry and to support the creation and performance of new writing at every level from primary school to professional publication. The core collection of Manchester Poetry Library consists of late 19th, 20th and 21st century poetry in English from around the world, allowing access to journals, pamphlets, books, collections, anthologies, audio recordings, films, big press, little press, poetry for children, and poetry in translation.

A public poetry library that welcomes all, Manchester Poetry Library’s mission is to widen access to poetry and to support the creation and performance of new writing

The library also has a special focus on poetry in recording from film to audio and benefits from the physical and human resources on hand in this shared space, from recording facilities and translators to performances, with regular poetry showcases, events series, reading groups, creative writing workshops and more all chalked up, including former Poet Laureate and head of Manchester Writing School Carol Ann Duffy’s Write Where We Are Now project during lockdown. Manchester Poetry Library is delighted to open up the conversation around its holdings in different languages, and are keen to hear from you.

A welcome addition to Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature.