CHETHAM'S Library and Medieval Buildings is opening this Saturday from 11am-3pm with a fabulous array of events and activities related to that most beautiful technological leap: the book.
Cast upon Manchester's loveliest space and the world's loveliest industry
This is a free event and open to all.
Little ones and large 'uns can wander the halls and chambers of Manchester's most atmospheric of buildings which dates from 1421. Aside from the Baronial Hall, the Audit Room with its scary Hell Mouth and the utterly charming Fox Courtyard there is also the library.
This was incorporated into the buildings in the 1650s and is now the oldest, free, public library in the English-speaking world, a jewel for Manchester. If you can find a more charming and atmospheric place in the UK you'll be doing well.
The Fox Courtyard
Guests in the Reading Room looking at a third folio of Shakespeare's plays and Hogarth prints on a recent visit
Beware the Hell Mouth
Activities on Saturday include including heraldic calligraphy, craft bookbinding and more. There's colouring for very little people. What is clear is that Chetham's has assembled some of the finest exponents and explainers of calligraphy and bookbinding. Their enthusiasm and knowledge will provide a glorious interactive introduction to the mysteries of book production.
There's an unexpected bonus too.
Natural light will be flooding into the library from the west.
In the 1840s Palatine Buildings was crammed against the medieval site hiding it from the city it served. Palatine Buildings is now being demolished after almost 170 years. Daylight is illuminating the shelves once more. Manchester Cathedral can again be seen from the Library windows. Soon people passing on the road nearby will be aware of Chetham's.
So if you want light cast upon Manchester's loveliest space and the world's loveliest industry then book here for Saturday's celebration.
View showing how the demolition to the west is revealing Chetham's to the city
The mysterious corridorsPowered by 
