What makes it 84% Baby-Friendly: Babies are welcome thanks to lifts, stroller space, nursing rooms and changing stations on every floor plus under-5 Storytime, but long quiet zones may shorten visits if an infant becomes noisy.
Why 1–2 hours visit duration is ideal for with baby: Allows time for a story session, a quiet browse, and feeding breaks without tired baby fuss.
Under-5s Storytime:
Weekly sessions for babies up to four years with songs and nursery rhymes.
Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early to secure a front-row seat for your baby.
Baby & Toddler Storytime:
Tuesdays & Thursdays during term-time at 10:30–11:00 and 11:30–12:00.
Tip: Ask staff to reserve a spot as places fill quickly.
Children’s Library Browsing:
Lower Ground Floor has board books and cosy seating for lap reading.
Tip: Request baby book recommendations at the desk.
Warm Welcome Space:
Free heated seating, Wi-Fi, and newspapers for feeding and breaks.
Tip: Use this quiet corner when the café is busy.

Legends l
Beautiful rotunda type library right in the heart of the city. The building is beautiful inside and maintained to a high standard. Very spacious. It has an open style cafe and toilet facilities too. It is even worth wondering around to marvel the architecture of the building. Free to enter. Please do remember that it is a library after all therefore noise is not to be exercised here!
Tahir Awan
Manchester Central Library is stunning inside and out. I took some great photos of the grand circular design, the reading rooms, and the high ceilings — all very photogenic. It’s a peaceful place for study or work, with plenty of space, free Wi-Fi, and helpful staff. The mix of historic architecture and modern facilities makes it feel special. Being right in the city centre, it’s easy to visit and...
Sophie Johnson
Lovely library in the centre of Manchester. Plenty of books available, as well as study areas, quiet areas, and a cafe. This place has EVERYTHING! I used to study on the 1st floor frequently at university because you can hear a pin drop! It’s fantastic. Also love this place because it has a large prayer area. It’s on the LG floor and has toilets fairly near. Great place!
KloudManc
Situated at St Peter's Square. Free Wi-Fi, and toilets downstairs. Be sure to check out the impressive reading room on the second floor, with plenty of seating. There’s also a dedicated children’s area downstairs. Manchester residents can also borrow ebooks through an App. Great library.
Derartu Dendena
I got caught by the beautiful building from outside I was exploring the city and it was a nice edition. At first I saw it on the maps and the unique architecture captured my attention. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to explore the books or check the selection but what I can assume the archive is pretty loaded and the music library looks decent. I was specially impressed by the architectur...
In June, join the Festival of Libraries Family Fun Day for baby-friendly crafts outdoors. In winter, use the Warm Welcome Space’s heated seating and free Wi-Fi for feeding breaks.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Café snacks (2 adults) | GBP 10 |
| Free storytimes and spaces | GBP 0 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 10 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD, UK
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Opening Hours
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Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+44 161 234 198310 BEST nearby Activities
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