Welcome

Chetham's Library was founded in 1653 and is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. It is an independent charity and remains open to readers and visitors free of charge.

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.

You can explore some of Chetham's treasures, search the online catalogue and find out more about our collections by following the links in the menu above.

Chetham's Library is open Monday to Friday 9.00-12.30 a.m. and 1.30-4.30 p.m. Please make an appointment if you wish to read.

Chetham's Library
Long Millgate
M3 1SB
0161 834 7961
librarian@chethams.org.uk

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101 Treasures of Chetham's

A weekly series in which we highlight some of the Library's most interesting stuff, which as well as famous books and manuscripts includes furniture, paintings, and objects from the museum collection.

Digital Resources

A small but growing number of Library items is now free to view online in pdf format on our Digital Resources page.

Chapbooks in Manchester Libraries

Several chapbooks from the Chetham's Library and Manchester City Library collections are available as pdfs here.

The Leech Family Archive

A permanent online exhibition examining the history and significance of the Leech family in Manchester from the early 1800s to the last years of the twentieth century.

Chetham's Library Publications

Several publications about the history of the Library are available to buy here, along with a limited number of high-quality facsimile reprints.

The Axon Ballad Collection

Chetham's is pleased to host the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society's collection of broadsides here.

Reproduction and Licensing

For the reproduction and licensing of images from Chetham's Library, please click on the Bridgeman Art Library link:

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Closure of the Historic Reading Room

The Library Reading Room will be closed for six weeks from June 5th. Find out more...

Walker's Croft Burial Ground

Some of the bodies buried underneath Manchester Victoria railway station may be exhumed as part of the restoration work. Find out more...

Richard Hills' History of the Museum of Science and Industry

We are very pleased to make available a new history of the Museum of Science and Industry by its founding director Richard L. Hills. The pdf of the work can be found on our Digital Resources page. Read more...

The Diaries of John Reed (1929-2012)

We have recently acquired a lifetime of daily diaries by the academic and political activist John Reed. Read more...

New Chapbook Exhibition

Our new exhibition Godlies, Merries and Pleasant Histories: the chapbook tradition 1731-2013 opens on 4 February. Read more...

Dame Joan Bakewell

We are delighted to welcome Dame Joan Bakewell as our first Honorary Patron. Anybody can become a Patron of the Library: your donation helps to ensure the long-term survival of the Library and entitles you to special benefits such as lectures, workshops, behind-the-scenes tours and invitations to exhibition previews. Read more...

Sign up for our e-newsletter

Our e-newsletter is a great way to receive regular news and updates from Chetham's Library in digest form, straight to your inbox. If you'd like to start receiving our e-news, click here. We're also on Twitter and Facebook, and regularly update our popular blog. Follow the links on this page to find out more and get in touch!

Chapbooks in Manchester Libraries

Several chapbooks from the collections of Chetham's Library and Manchester City Libraries are now available as pdfs. Read more...

The Robert Holt Collection of Manchester Street Songs and Ballads

We have acquired a large collection of street songs and ballads published in Manchester and the North West during the mid-nineteenth century. Read more...

Conservation Grants

We are delighted to announce that the Library has recently been awarded two significant grants, which will enable the preservation of some of our most important and valuable books. Read more...

Industrial Archaeology

In recent years the Library has acquired a number of important collections on the industrial archaeology of the region. Read more...

Chetham's Library awarded MLA Designation Status

We are proud to announce that Chetham's has been officially awarded Designation Status by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Read more...

Raines Lancashire Manuscripts now available on DVD

The forty-five volumes of transcripts and original material compiled by Canon F. R. Raines represent the largest collection of antiquarian papers held at Chetham's. We are very pleased to announce that these are now available to buy on a beautiful new DVD produced by the Family History Society of Cheshire. Read more...

Chetham's Treasures Digitised

We are delighted to announce that a number of our eighteenth century periodicals and nine Middle English manuscripts have been digitised and made available online. Read more...