Located in St Peter’s Square and designed by the legendary architect E. Vincent Harris, Manchester Central Library is a building whose bold exterior lives up to its proud history. Harris based his design on the Pantheon in Rome. Its large columns and central dome give the impression of grandeur and exclusivity, yet the library’s history is also in keeping with Manchester’s progressive heart. Manchester was the first local authority to provide a public lending and reference library following the 1850 Public Libraries Act. The Central Library, which opened much later in 1934, was a continuation of this project to extend access to knowledge and information across the city.
This design shows that something as simple as a library can have a rich history and embody the values and beliefs that define a place. A small piece of progressive Manchester for your home.
