The Portico Library

Everything and Nothing Exhibition Opening — The Portico Library ‘What makes the Portico Library? Is it the books? Is it the history? Is it the building? Is it the people who walked through the doors? the readers? the members? the staff? Or is it the feeling that y...

🔗 We'll be holding our free public opening on Thursday 19th March. You can book your spot here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...

Everything and Nothing: what makes a 220-year old library? A new exhibition to mark 220 years of the Portico Library - About Manchester What makes a 220-year old library? Is it the books? Is it the history? Is it the building? Is it the people who walked through the doors? The readers? The

We have reconnected with past colleagues, members, and users to select the things that tell us forgotten stories from this room.

🔗 You can read the full article here: aboutmanchester.co.uk/everything-a...

Everything and Nothing: What makes a 220-year-old library? explores the idea of the Portico as a box holding memories; a place to look back in time at 220 years and a place to imagine what a library could be like in 10, 50 and 100 years’ time.

Screenshot of About Manchester article

Screenshot of About Manchester article

🎉 A big thank you to About Manchester for the lovely write-up on our upcoming exhibition!

Vacancies — The Portico Library

📍 Manchester city centre
⏰ 17.5–21 hours per week (0.5–0.6 FTE)
💷 £32,000 pro rata
📄 10-month fixed-term contract
🗓 Application deadline: 5pm, Monday 13 April

Full details and candidate pack available here: www.theportico.org.uk/vacancies

This hands-on role will lead on research access, cataloguing, book display, and collections care at an exciting moment for the Library as we progress Portico Reunited, our £11m restoration project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund...

The Portico hiring poster

📚 We’re hiring

Passionate about connecting historic books and archives with communities, readers and researchers?...

Creation of Eve from Wells Cathedral drawn by John Flaxman - compare to his drawing of the presentation of Pandora (Image 3).

From the wonderful @porticolibrary.bsky.social, via the glorious @poisonchallis.bsky.social.

HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY! #WBD2026

How To Read A Book exhibition — The Portico Library

If you haven't had the chance to see the exhibition yet, or would like to come and see it again before we say goodbye, it will be on display until Saturday 14th March.

🔗 You can read more about How To Read A Book here: www.theportico.org.uk/how-to-read-...

Stephen Emmerson's How To Read A Book exhibition

Stephen Emmerson's How To Read A Book exhibition

Stephen Emmerson's How To Read A Book exhibition

Stephen Emmerson's How To Read A Book exhibition

🧵 We're sadly approaching the final week of Stephen Emmerson's wonderful exhibition, How To Read A Book.

We've absolutely loved having the collection in the library, and so many of you have had such lovely things to say about the work...

"His commitment, diligence and wise counsel have been central to the progress we have made and to the strength of the organisation today."

John will continue his involvement with the Portico in his role as Chair of the House Committee and as a Member.

“I also want to extend my profound thanks to John Carpenter for his more than three years as Chair. John has been immense. Calm, thoughtful and steadfast, he has guided the Portico through complex and often challenging issues with integrity and care...

"Susie brings passion for the Library, its remarkable collection, the communities who use it and its civic purpose, alongside clarity of leadership and a determination to secure a sustainable future for the Portico through Portico Reunited...

Dr. Thom Keep, Librarian and CEO of the Portico Library, said: “On behalf of everyone at the Portico, I am absolutely delighted to welcome Susie Diggines as our new Chair...

"Today, we want to change that and make the Portico a recognised treasure and a living testament to the talent, drive, ambition and inclusive spirit of Mancunians and the North.”

On her appointment, Susie says: “The Portico Library has reached a crucial point in history. An institution which was founded in 1806 by the great and the good of Manchester, it was limited in outreach. It was a hidden gem...

She has a well-established relationship with the Portico, having previously held the position of Secretary and, more recently, has been assisting the Portico Reunited team as part of the Lease Action Group...

Susie Diggines succeeds John Carpenter, who steps down from the role after three years.

A long-standing resident of Greater Manchester, Susie brings extensive experience of leading organisations through periods of significant change and transformation...

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment, as Portico Reunited prepares its Delivery Phase submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, marking the next stage of its nationally significant initiative to reunite, restore and transform the Grade II listed building.

Susie Diggines

🧵The Portico is thrilled to welcome Susie Diggines as its new Chair of Trustees...

WomenWriterTour — The Portico Library Sneak behind the scenes of the Portico Library and discover some of women - well known and not - in print in the collection.

From art historians to translators to artists, Debbie will peel back the pages to find the women that people read in the 19thC to mark International Women's Day and Women's History Month.

🔗 Book your spot: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...

Dr Debbie Challis

An entry sign in The Portico

🧵 Next week, join us for a behind-the-scenes and women in print tour of The Portico...

On Thursday 12th March, Dr Debbie Challis will show you round some of the nooks and corners of the Library, before introducing you to some of the women in print in the collection. ...

DickensinManchester — The Portico Library Did you know that Charles Dickens was a regular visitor to Manchester? Or that he visited the Portico in 1844? Join Dickens' expert Lucinda Hawksley to find out more.

There will be a chance to see some first editions of Dickens' books and his signature in the Portico Stranger's Book.

This is a fundraising activity for Portico Reunited.

🔗 Book your spot here: www.theportico.org.uk/event-calend...

She is Patron of the Charles Dickens Museum in London and the Patron of the Norwegian Pickwick Club. She has written many books on Dickens, including Dickens and Travel and Dickens and his circle.

Lucinda is an author, art historian, public speaker and broadcaster, specialising in literature, art, history and social history from the 19th and early 20th centuries. She is also an award-winning travel writer with a love of the environment.

Come along to the Portico Library this Saturday to hear Lucinda Hawksley (great great great granddaughter of Charles and Catherine Dickens) uncover more about the author’s connections with our city...

A volunteer with The Portico Strangers' book featuring Dickens' signature

🧵 Did you know that Charles Dickens was a regular visitor to Manchester? Or that he visited the Portico Library in 1844? That he performed on stage in the city, that Manchester played a crucial role in the creation of one of his most famous books, or that his much-loved sister made her home here?

Become a member of the Portico Library — The Portico Library Join the Portico with membership and become part of 215-years of the Library’s history and help to shape its future. Anyone can join The Portico Library. Annual subscription costs between £67 and £218...

Members at the Portico enjoy lots of unique benefits, including access to our historic reading room.

🔗 Find more information about joining The Portico here: www.theportico.org.uk/membership

A member in The Portico's historic reading room

Join The Portico and become part of the library's 220-year history...

Becoming a member is also an opportunity to help us shape the future of a historic Mancunian literary landmark, as we head into one of the most exciting chapters in the library's story...

Brian Groom These Isles book cover

🧵 On Thursday 26th February, we're thrilled to be hosting bestselling author @groomb.bsky.social for a conversation surrounding his new book, These Isles: The Fascinating Story of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales...