• To register, please visit the .
• The Conference is open to attendees from all institutions.

Since launching its in 2022, The University of Manchester has championed open and transparent research across the institution. Now in its second year, the conference will showcase the progress we鈥檝e made, alongside contributions from colleagues across the UK, bringing together researchers, PGRs and research support professionals to explore how Open 天美影视 practices are being embedded across the sector.

This year鈥檚 conference will feature the following themes:

• Open 天美影视 in Communication and Publishing;
• Open 天美影视 in Practice;
• Open 天美影视 in Collaboration;
• Open 天美影视 Software;
• Open 天美影视 with Sensitive Data;
• Building Skills and Communities for Open 天美影视.

Keynote speakers

• (天美影视 on 天美影视 Institute), 鈥淭he Open Imperative鈥� (Day 1).
• (San Francisco Declaration on 天美影视 Assessment, DORA), 鈥淒ORA: Enabling the Open 天美影视 Future鈥� (Day 2).

For more information, contact the team at openresearch@manchester.ac.uk

We are celebrating the completion of the John Rylands Next Chapter project, which began in February 2024. The project sought to enrich and transform the researcher and visitor experience with the refurbishment of exhibition and event spaces.  

Two newly designed galleries will open on 15 May 2025, marking a significant milestone in the John Rylands Next Chapter project: 

• Collections Gallery: Presenting over 40 remarkable objects that illuminate the history and evolution of the Library's special collections, with many on public display for the first time. This eclectic display includes Shakespeare's First Folio; a clay cylinder from Nebuchadnezzar's temple; a Qur'an manuscript; a parchment roll signed by Elizabeth I; Alan Turing's notes on the MARK I computer; and Rob Gretton's Joy Division notebook. 
• Special Exhibitions Gallery: The opening exhibition, The Secret Public: LGBTQ Pop 1955-1985, explores the profound influence of LGBTQ performers, artists and activists on mainstream popular culture. Based on the book by Professor of Popular Culture, Jon Savage, the exhibition draws on his personal archives and The University of Manchester's British Pop Archive. 

Visit the Rylands from Thursday, 15 May to see our new exhibitions. 

Spaces created as part of Next Chapter include a new main entrance to the library, and changes to the shop and reception area. Other new additions include a multi-use event space, digital teaching and learning suites and the sector-leading Rylands Heritage Imaging Lab.  

Join the celebrations and look out for related programming on our .  

For more information on visiting The John Rylands Library, check out the . 

Free entry. 

The new partnership will bring together inarguably the two finest collections of non-conformist religious social history in the world and situate them in Manchester, itself a renowned city of dissent and innovation. 

The new partnership draws upon the almost unlimited scholarly synergies between our existing collections, expertise in the management of special collections, powerful traditions of nonconformity, and a proven track record of impact and public engagement. Following a prolonged period of consideration and with the advice and input of many scholars and researchers, the Dr Williams鈥檚 Trust was unanimous in its decision to select The University of Manchester Library as the institution best placed to fulfil the Trust鈥檚 ambition for the future.

Echoing these sentiments the Chair of the Dr Williams鈥檚 Trust, Derek McAuley, emphasised how the Trust鈥檚 wish to have the legacy of British Protestant Dissent researched and celebrated would be well serviced in Manchester

Unlocking new opportunities for research

Religion and theology have been a strength of Manchester鈥檚 special collections since the opening of The John Rylands Library in 1900. All the world鈥檚 major religions are well represented in the collections. The printed, manuscript and archival holdings relating to Christian theology and ecclesiastical history are exceptionally strong, spanning the entire history of Christianity from antiquity through to contemporary evangelicalism, and documenting its many strands, including the Armenian, Syriac and Ethiopic churches, as well Roman Catholicism and Protestant nonconformity.

Looking to the future the Dr Williams鈥檚 Trust will continue to financially support the development and management of its richly varied collections of books, manuscripts and art works. It will promote an awareness of the legacy and ongoing contribution of dissent to the wider public across the UK and beyond and will actively promote the use of the collections to scholars, researchers, students and the public.

The John Rylands Library is one of the world鈥檚 leading centres for the study of Protestant nonconformity, as befits an institution founded by the Congregationalist Enriqueta Rylands. The Library is home to the internationally renowned Methodist Archives and 天美影视 Centre and there are major holdings of printed and archival materials relating to the Unitarian, Baptist, Moravian, Brethren and Congregationalist denominations, which ideally complement the strengths of Dr Williams鈥檚 Library.

Bringing together the Dr Williams鈥檚 Library with the collections of The University of Manchester Library has now created the world鈥檚 most significant scholarly resource for the history of non-conformist traditions, comprising more than half a million printed volumes and manuscripts. 

Further information

Further information can be found via the John Rylands Library website:

Muriel Stott Building in Main Library will be closed from 5pm on Friday, 30 May until the next academic year (2025/26). 

Building works will be taking place for the redevelopment of the space. Please use alternative study spaces during this period. 

A full list of our can be found on the Library website. Please check this page as some sites will be closed during the Summer period. 

We will update you with details on the building鈥檚 re-opening. We apologise for any inconvenience.

As result of a recent review exercise, the Library now offers online access to all available titles to this flagship reference series and has instituted a subscription for the addition of annual releases to ensure consistent and comprehensive access for the foreseeable future. 

Encompassing some 400 volumes, titles nominally address ten subject areas: American History; Ancient History & Classical Studies; Asian History; British & European History; Global History; Literature; Middle East & African Studies; Music & Theatre; Philosophy & Political Thought and Religion.

The Cambridge Histories also complement other recent state-of-the art and regularly updated reference material recently added to the Library鈥檚 holdings 鈥� most notably and .

Find out more

For more details see the 'Spotlight' feature on the purchase on the databases section of the Library鈥檚 subject guides for ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and .

You can now request a range of reports through the , available in the Open 天美影视 Tracker.  

We can work with you to:  

• identify growing trends in research;  
• map research activity against strategic indicators such as the ;  
• identify potential collaboration opportunities both within The University of Manchester and beyond;  
• benchmark indications of research impact at the institutional, departmental, and Unit of Assessment level.  

For more information, please visit our webpage or contact The Office for Open 天美影视 with any questions: openresearch@manchester.ac.uk  

The Open 天美影视 Tracker 

You can use the to access publications data maintained by the Library, including REF OA compliance information. More information is available on our page. 

The Library has added to its existing holdings of Royal Society publications with the acquisition of the Royal Society Journals Archive, one of the most important collections of scientific publishing in the world, covering over 350 years of scientific progression.

The archive, purchased in perpetuity, has been fully re-digitised, and now offers colour scans of original peer-reviewed articles. New content has also been added including annotations, illustrations, and end matter material. Indexed sub-headers, enhanced metadata and the use of MathML ensure that over 740,000 pages on all areas of science are fully searchable. 

As such, it is a valuable resource not only for students and researchers in the University鈥檚 , but also in Biosciences, and disciplines within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, including Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy

Find content via author, article or journal title in , or see Database Spotlights on our Library Subject Guides for , , , , and .

The Library鈥檚 Teaching Collections Team are offering advance previews to showcase key improvements including:  

• Cleaner, Fresher Interface 
• Upgraded Technology 
• Intuitive Navigation 
• Simplified Publishing Process 

Sign up for a preview session here!

Sessions will run from May - June 2025:

• Online: Tuesday 鈥� Thursday
• In person: Thursday

 What is Reading Lists Online? 

Reading Lists Online is the Library鈥檚 reading list system. It enables teaching staff to manage their lists and request new resources whilst simultaneously providing students with seamless access to their reading material.  

• See our pages on the Library website:

• access and for revision, exam and assessment support 
• speak to Library and student team staff via our roving service throughout Main Library and the AGLC or at our assessment support stand in Main Library  
• get wellbeing support by accessing helpful resources and workshops via the Counselling and Student Service  
• get advice from Library staff and student team members at our regular drop-in sessions 
• attend focused, structured revision sessions facilitated by the Library  
• use our additional study spaces in Prospect House 

To find out more about how the Library can help you, visit our exam and assessment support page:  

Library opening hours will change over the Easter period, between Friday, 18 April and Monday, 21 April 2025.  

Full information on opening hours is available on each of the Library sites on the Library鈥檚  

Library Chat 

will be available 24/7 during the Easter period. It will be staffed by third-party partner institutions. 

The John Rylands 天美影视 Institute and Library 

will be closed on Friday, 18 April 2025. The Library will be open to the public on Saturday, 19 April, and remain closed on Easter Sunday, 20 April until Tuesday, 22 April in line with regular opening hours. More information can be found on the page. 

The items in the showcase are drawn from the Library鈥檚 Special Collections; the Christian Brethren Archive comprises the world鈥檚 largest collection of manuscripts, printed books and periodicals and visual material relating to a group of independent Christian congregations often referred to as the Plymouth Brethren, Christian Brethren, or simply Brethren.

This display will share objects relating to significant figures from the movement鈥檚 history and explore key areas of study, including women鈥檚 histories, post-colonial studies and humanitarian work.

There will be Collections Encounters on Tuesday 8 April and Thursday, 17 April 2025, where you can view items from the collection with the curator, Tereza Ward.

The showcase runs from April to August 2025, at Blue Ground in Main Library. Entry is free. 

• Explore the on the Library website.

This collection is of international significance, revealing previously unknown material such as statistical data, oral evidence, letters and business papers relating to Britain, and the many parts of the world that were under British influence. Examples include reports relating to the abolition of slavery, evidence presented about the working conditions of children employed in cotton mills and letters from the Governor-General of India describing the Indian rebellion of 1857. 

House of Commons Parliamentary Papers, 2015 to 2023 

This resource empowers researchers to explore the British perspective on events from the recent past through a vast and authoritative archive of official government documents including drafts of legislation, and reports from committees. One such source is the Treasury Committee report on 鈥淛obs, growth and productivity after coronavirus鈥� which includes documented oral testimony from Professor Bart van Ark, the Professor of Productivity Studies at the Alliance Manchester Business School. 

Public Petitions to Parliament, 1833 to 1918 

Petitioning has been a popular form of political participation for centuries, and this collection will allow researchers to exploit new sources on the formative role of petitions to Parliament during the nineteenth century (1833 to 1918), an unparalleled period of political modernisation and democratisation in Britain. Users will be able to analyse the social, geographical, religious, and gender compositions of these issues of importance to the British public and allow for detailed textual and rhetorical analysis of the petitions. 

This resource will support students, researchers and staff in the disciplines of Politics, History, Law and Criminology and will also be of interest to the University鈥檚 interdisciplinary research groups in the Humanities such as the and the . 

• View the Parliamentary Papers collections via or see our Library Subject Guides for , , and . 

Nominate for the Open 天美影视 Award 2025 鈥� Deadline: 30 April 2025 

Now in its second year, this award recognises individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to Open 天美影视 at Manchester. The winner and highly commended nominees will be announced at the conference evening reception on Monday, 9 June. 

Award winners and highly commended nominees will: 

• Receive a commemorative trophy (winner). 
• Gain the title of Honorary Fellow of the Office for Open 天美影视. 
• Be invited to join the Open 天美影视 Fellowship alumni network. 
• Be encouraged to act as Open 天美影视 ambassadors within the University and beyond. 
• Have the opportunity to contribute guest articles to the . 

Who can be nominated? Academic, technical, and professional services staff, as well as PGRs, individuals, and teams. Self-nominations and team nominations are welcome. 

• Submit your nomination here:  

Selection criteria, where applicable, include demonstrable engagement with Open 天美影视 through community and training initiatives, adherence to open and FAIR data principles, commitment to open access publishing, use of open software, and alignment with the .  

Get Involved 

To learn more about the conference and register, please visit the  

For questions, please contact us at openresearch@manchester.ac.uk  

About the room  

Located in the Red area (Red 2.5) close to the DVD and Music collections, the communal space, which will run as a pilot project and serve a maximum of four viewers, can be reserved through  in the same manner as Group 天美影视 Rooms.

• Redevelopment of Muriel Stott Building in Summer 2025

Find out more

For further details, including how to book, visit the  webpage (part of the  section of the Library website).  Please note that this dedicated space is reserved exclusively for the use of these new AV facilities.

Almost all AV material will continue to be available for loan, whilst details of the full range of the Library鈥檚 streaming services for  and  can be found through the database directory offered on the Library Subject Guides.

About the workshop

Understanding copyright is not only essential for you, but also for supporting our students and colleagues in research, teaching and content creation.

This workshop will provide you with a clear understanding of copyright ownership, how to find and use licensed materials and how to navigate copyright exceptions and risks.

Through practical examples, you鈥檒l gain the confidence to use copyrighted materials effectively and guide others in doing the same.

Open to all university staff, researchers, and students - enhance your expertise and confidently support our students and colleagues.

The page lists together interactive, podcast and printable versions to make it easier to find the format that best suits your needs.  We have created fully accessible Word document versions of most resources, which are particularly beneficial for distance learners, those needing printed materials, and students with limited internet bandwidth. Additionally, some resources are available as podcasts or audio-only versions, and we are actively working to expand this range. 

If you would like further information or have any questions, please get in touch uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk. 

Access via or our .

Please note that wood chipping work will still be taking place at the back of the Library, so there is likely to be some noise disruption in these areas.

Work will be taking place as part of the building鈥檚 redevelopment plans.  

Contractors will be on site from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm for essential tree removal work. We're working with the University's Environmental Sustainability team to protect existing trees as much as possible and to plant replacement trees elsewhere on campus where required in line with the Library Spaces and University Tree Planting Policy. Woodchips from the removed trees and shrubs will form mulch to be distributed across campus to suppress weeds and support development. The trellis fence separating the staff side from the student side will be removed permanently as part of this work.  

We expect there to be noise disruption during this time and advice Library users to work in alternative spaces in Main Library and across . We apologise for any inconvenience. 

We will update our social media channels for any updates about Muriel Stott re-opening.  

• Landmark exhibition shows the extraordinary contribution LGBTQ artists have made to popular culture
• Celebrates 30 years of LGBTQ pop and its wider influence
• Uncovers some of the lesser-known stories of LGBTQ figures in the mainstream of popular culture with archive material from public and private collections

天美影视ed exhibition events programme features key performers and commentators from the time

Launching The John Rylands Library鈥檚 redeveloped exhibitions gallery, The Secret Public: LGBTQ Pop 1955 鈥� 1985 examines the profound influence of LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly performers, artists and activists on mainstream pop culture. Co-curated with Professor of Popular Culture, Jon Savage and taking his book The Secret Public - How LGBTQ Performers Shaped Popular Culture 1955 - 1979 as a starting point, the exhibition has been extended through to 1985. It foregrounds the artists, figures, social issues and political discourse from within which a lasting creative legacy was produced, one that still resonates today.

This new exhibition presents key pieces from the extensive archive of research materials collected by Jon Savage over many years which is now as part of the Library鈥檚 British Pop Archive. It includes further materials from The University of Manchester Library鈥檚 Special Collections and key private loans including items never before on public display. Posters, magazines, books, promotional photographs and record sleeves trace the extraordinary contribution LGBTQ performers have made throughout those years, enhanced by audio and video providing an evocative soundtrack to this story.

The exhibition takes a thematic and chronological journey through the materials, foregrounding the pioneering artists, musicians, actors, managers and activists who pushed both the social and creative boundaries of their time and their chosen field to agitate, provoke, protest, engage, enlighten and delight.

Find out more

Find out more about the exhibition and Rylands125 on the John Rylands Library website:

• : Choose from workshops and online training resources covering a range of topics, including how to find and search for information, academic writing, study strategies and wellbeing support.
• Select workshops and online training resources focusing on raising your research profile, dissemination of research, open research, publishing insights and dedicated writing time. 
• : Access expert support in specialist areas such as copyright, referencing, business data,. advanced searching and systematic reviews.

For further information on all our training and support, see details via the Library website

For further help and support or join our Library experts at our .

This is a purchase that simultaneously enhances the University鈥檚 existing holdings of one of the world鈥檚 most influential fashion and lifestyle titles and also complements recent additions to our general interest magazine holdings, such as and .

About the archive

Providing access to over 500,000 pages of content, the archive covers both the US (1867-present, with subsequent issues added on an ongoing basis), and UK (1930-2015) editions, both of which are seamlessly cross-searchable. 

The resource is fully indexed, and content is discoverable to either article level or, in the case of advertisements, by brand or company name.

Harper鈥檚 offers a powerful lens into American, British, and international fashion as well as popular culture and society from the mid-nineteenth century. 

Showcasing the work of acclaimed designers, photographers, stylists, writers and illustrators, this wide-ranging resource, presented in the original magazine format not only supports students, researchers, and staff in Fashion, Business and Technology, but also in a range of disciplines across the Humanities, including research groupings such as and the Institute for Cultural Practices.

View the archive

View The Harper鈥檚 Bazaar Archive via or see our Library Subject Guides for , , , and .

About the Carcanet archive

The University of Manchester Library has held the Carcanet Press since the 1970s, and this focuses on a pivotal moment in Carcanet鈥檚 history: the destruction of its offices and papers in the 1996 IRA bombing of the Manchester Exchange. It considers the gap created in Carcanet鈥檚 archive and records, the poetry it inspired, and the ripple effect on the city.

Featuring poetry and correspondence, the final showcase also includes by Gregory O鈥橞rien and Mary Griffiths, produced during the pandemic, and suggested by John McAuliffe, Professor of Poetry at the Centre for New Writing, and editor at Carcanet.

View the archive

The additional material amassed through these alternative routes has made for a richer, more interesting picture of Carcanet in its 50^th year, curated in an accessible and innovative form on The Library is pleased to share this anniversary celebration for Carcanet Press and its outstanding archive.

It was great to see that overall satisfaction with the Library was high with over 82% of respondents satisfied overall with the Library and 89% agreeing that the Library provides the resources needed. Over 70% reported the Library has a positive impact on wellbeing, which is really great to hear as we want to make the Library a welcoming and safe space for all our students.  

It was interesting to hear your suggestions on how to improve the Library website to help your understanding of Library services. We will be taking these into account as we continually update and strive to improve our website. Library staff are always ready to answer your questions or assist you in how to access our services, just pop into any Library site and ask at the reception desk or ask any member of staff wearing purple branded clothing. You can also pose a question via our Library Chat service available on the right-hand side of every page on the Library website. 

83% agreed that 鈥楾he study space provided by the Library meets my needs鈥� and although this is high we are constantly evaluating and looking to improve our study spaces and will be redeveloping the Muriel Stott building of Main Library this summer.

We are listening to your feedback around plug sockets, toilets and quiet spaces and will continue to factor these into our spaces development.  

It has been brilliant to get feedback from our students and we will continue to do this with annual surveys and prize draws. 

Your voice matters!

New Collections Gallery will showcase over 40 rare and remarkable objects tracing the history and evolution of the library鈥檚 special collections, revealing the influence of visionary founder Enriqueta Rylands on the library鈥檚 collections.

Highlights in the new Collections Gallery will include an early fragment of the New Testament, a clay cylinder from King Nebuchadnezzar鈥檚 temple, and the Peterloo relief fund accounts. At the heart of the gallery is a case containing a 14th-century trilingual Qur鈥檃n manuscript, Shakespeare鈥檚 first folio and the Rylands Beatus, a beautiful 12th-century book. Alan Turing鈥檚 notes on programming the MARK I computer, and a notebook handwritten by Joy Division鈥檚 manager Rob Gretton, show 20th-century history in the making.

The exhibition reveals the breadth and importance of the collections and the innovative work behind the scenes to preserve and share them. For the care of the collections and to showcase a wide variety of material, objects on display will change after six months.

The new gallery is part of Rylands125, a special year-long events and exhibitions programme to celebrate the 125th anniversary of The John Rylands Library. This initiative by The University of Manchester Library delves into the library鈥檚 storied past to celebrate its vibrant present and look forward to the promising future of the institution. 

Established by Enriqueta Rylands as a library for the people of Manchester, the Rylands opened in January 1900. To create this remarkable library, Enriqueta Rylands spent about 拢1 million (over 拢100 million today). She wanted it to be a catalyst for the cultural, social and religious advancement of the city.

Enriqueta Rylands started buying books for the new library in November 1889 鈥� before the builders started work. Her early purchases included a wide variety of valuable printed books and handwritten manuscripts. Some are very beautiful, others rare or remarkable. She was very interested in Christian reform but also collected poetry, bird books and history. 

Enriqueta Rylands laid the groundwork for a growing library, now home to an astonishing variety of books, manuscripts, archives, maps and visual materials. They include world-class holdings of ancient papyri, early European and Chinese printing, Islamic and medieval manuscripts, bibles and modern archives. The collections have come to the Rylands as gifts, purchases and loans; some as ready formed collections, others as individual items.

The Rylands has grown into a renowned cultural and academic destination that welcomes readers, researchers and visitors from around the world. The library continues to bring in and preserve collections, especially in the creative arts and British pop culture. Modern collecting brings a plethora of formats, with exciting opportunities and challenges in a digital age. 

The University is committed to an open and responsible research environment. The OOR is positioned as the focal point for Open 天美影视 activity at The University of Manchester, enabling the University to continue to operate at the leading edge of this global agenda. 

Visit our new website

All Library Open 天美影视 support is now available in one location. Explore the new and improved website and discover comprehensive support for every stage of your research journey. 

What this means for you:

• 天美影视 Data Management: manage your research data effectively, from planning to publishing and preservation. 
• Open Access: funding, publishing, and compliance with funder and REF policies. 
• 天美影视 Indicators: understand the reach and impact of your research through analysis of citations and other metrics. 
• Open 天美影视 skills and training: increase your understanding and enhance your skillset through our My 天美影视 Essentials programme. 
• Open 天美影视 systems: access effective tools to open and share your work throughout the research process. 
• Open 天美影视 Programme: initiatives and opportunities to engage in Open 天美影视 practices.  

Stay updated

• Stay up to date with the latest  
• Subscribe to our monthly to receive updates on Open 天美影视 at the University and the broader research landscape. 

Contact us

• with us

This two-day event will highlight the latest innovations and practices in Open 天美影视, bringing together researchers, postgraduate researchers (PGRs), and research support professionals from various disciplines. Attendees will explore bold ideas and practical solutions to reshape how research is conducted and shared. 

Call for abstracts

We invite submissions for presentations and posters from anyone interested in, researching, or working in Open 天美影视. Contributions may include research projects, methodological innovations or case studies showcasing Open 天美影视 practices. 

Key details

• Abstract submission deadline: 31 March 2025
• Notification of acceptance: Mid to late April 2025
• Submission form:

Presentation format

• Talks: 15 minute presentations showcasing your contributions to Open 天美影视
• Posters: Dedicated poster sessions, allowing attendees to engage and discuss research throughout the event. 

About the conference

The conference is a collaborative initiative led by the Office for Open 天美影视 (supported by the 天美影视 Lifecycle Programme), the School of Engineering Open 天美影视 Lead, the UK Reproducibility Network, and the Cancer 天美影视 UK Manchester Institute. 

Get involved

To learn more about the conference and register, please visit the  

For questions regarding the conference or abstract submissions, please contact us at openresearch@manchester.ac.uk  

We look forward to seeing you in June 2025.

About the collection

The 'Global Issues Library' offers extensive content on international concerns including border issues, protection of human rights, revolutions and environmental challenges. 

Its individual collections, containing reports, essays, letters, streaming videos, photographs, and case studies, include:

Multidisciplinary resource

This extensive multidisciplinary resource is of value for teaching and research across Geography, Global Development, Humanitarian and Conflict Response, Politics, Sociology, and Earth and Environmental Sciences. 

It also aligns closely with the University's Social Responsibility and sustainable development goals.

Access the collection

Access via or see our Library Subject Guides for , , , , and .

If you're an unfunded monograph author who will soon publish a monograph, or who published one on or after 1 October 2023, enter for your chance to win funding to make your monograph OA. 

To enter, authors need to fill out this by Friday, 31 January 2025. 

The Library's Open Access team will contact successful applicants in early April 2025. 

If you have a question about the competition, please email libraryresearch@manchester.ac.uk. 

A key resource for the study of forced migration and the history of refugees, this series collates a wealth of primary material such as legal briefs, refugee reports, government documents, manuscripts, pamphlets and letters, from a wide range of sources including the U.K. National Archives, the British Library, World Jewish Relief, and the US Department of State.

About the series

Refugees, Relief and Resettlement comprises two parts addressing refugee crises across different chronological periods; and .

It deals with a significant topic of global concern and is of value to students and researchers across a range of disciplines and research groups including , and .

Related materials

This new addition enriches our collections of primary source materials in this challenging research area. These include both digital resources such as (part of the ) and , and physical materials housed within our pioneering at the Rylands. In addition, it aligns with the University's ongoing commitment as a University of Sanctuary.

View the collection

This collection is available to access via or see our Library Subject Guides for , , , , and .

Read the report

The Muriel Stott Building in the Main Library will be undergoing renovations from June 2025 and is set to reopen in September in time for the beginning of Semester 1. This renovation is part of various improvements planned for Main Library in 2025. 

The Library has been collaborating with colleagues from the to create designs that reflect what students really need. These designs are based on feedback and usage information collected in recent years, as well as input from Library staff and student representatives. 

The new designs will focus on promoting wellbeing. Some of the updates will include:  

• 36 quiet study spaces that can be reserved, featuring spacious desks with desktop computers all placed in a peaceful, traditional library atmosphere. Each desk will have adjustable lighting to suit different needs, particularly for neurodivergent users; 
• A fresh new look, including a unique sculpture that complements the building鈥檚 architecture and brings some greenery for a calming effect. There will also be display panels showcasing artwork from our special collections.  

The outdoor courtyard will also be redesigned to offer another workspace option for staff and students. It will have both formal study areas that can be used in any weather and more laid-back seating for relaxation. 

Making sure the space is accessible and environmentally friendly is a big part of the design plans. An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is being carried out to meet all necessary guidelines according to our new Library Spaces Policy. 

The project team is working with the University's Environmental Sustainability team to protect existing trees as much as possible and to plant replacement trees elsewhere on campus when needed. 

They are also exploring additional eco-friendly options. Instead of building new structures, they will reuse elements of the existing building, including current IT equipment, adjusting lighting to save electricity, limiting outdoor lighting, and choosing sustainable materials for outdoor furniture. New windows will be added to improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions. 

We will keep you updated as we get closer to Summer 2025.

Library Chat 

 will be available 24/7 during the vacation period. It will be staffed by third-party partner institutions. 

The John Rylands 天美影视 Institute and Library 

 will be closed from Sunday, 22 December 2024 until Thursday, 2 January 2025.

The latest additions bring the number of our productions from over a decade of 'NT Live' broadcasts now available to 70. These include popular recent successes like:

• by Nicholas Hytner
• Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo in
• Michael Sheen in

Manchester connections

The streamed performances also feature productions with notable local connections, such as:

• Alumnus Benedict Cumberbatch alternating the roles of creator and creature in (National Theatre Collections)
• (Professor) Maxine Peake as Hamlet from the city鈥檚 Royal Exchange in

Access the productions

Explore all titles via Library Search, including additional productions offered through the Royal Shakespeare Company鈥檚 and .

More details can be found on the .

No expensive tickets, travel costs, or audience distractions鈥攅njoy the show.

These magazines hold significant historical value, having shaped culture, lifestyle, and current events over the years. 

Renowned for their high-quality photography, impeccable production, and trend-setting design and editorial styles, many became influential in their respective fields. 

They also served as platforms for prominent writers, photographers, and artists, contributing to the formation of public opinion and capturing the societal shifts of their time.

How to access the collection

Accessible on , their consolidation on EBSCO, through which researchers already have access to the archives, provides an even greater benefit, allowing users to trace the coverage of specific issues over time. 

天美影视ers can now easily compare and contrast how different publications from the American popular press addressed the same social and political topics, offering a more nuanced view of historical narratives and public discourse.

Items in the collection

The seven new collections comprise:

• (1857 - 2014): 天美影视ers can access primary source material on alternative journalism, addressing activism, the arts, economy, environment and politics.
• (1945 - 2014): The most influential African American general interest magazine, articles cover African American culture, business, Civil rights, and entertainment.
• (1933 - 2014): Valuable to researchers looking at 20th-Century current events, gender issues, politics and advertising, Esquire also published work by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, fostered the development of the 鈥楴ew Journalism鈥� in the 1960s, and provided early support for the 鈥榙irty realism鈥� literary movement of the 1980s.
• (1936 - 2000): This iconic US magazine chronicled the major events of the 20th century and largely defined photojournalism. 
• (1954 - 2000): These archives chronicle the evolving role of sports in US culture, from polo and boating to American football and basketball.
• (1865 - 2020): America鈥檚 oldest weekly magazine was sponsored by Emerson, Longfellow, and Beecher Stowe, its roots stretching back to the Abolitionist movement.
• (1919-1936; 1983-2000): Access has been extended to the publication's literary interwar years. The magazine鈥檚 later years are valuable to researchers in fashion and marketing, as well as complementing our existing and archives on the

These collections are highlighted on relevant for American Studies, Fashion Business and Technology; History; Sociology; and English Literature and Creative Writing.

Develop your digital communications skills and explore the online world with 'Digital Society', the UCIL course unit run by the Library. 

天美影视ing entirely online, you鈥檒l explore the relationship between digital technology, society, and you, from the connectedness of our lives and the machines around us, to how we communicate with each other.

Topics covered

'Digital Society' includes exciting topics like:

• The Internet: How have key developments in the history of the internet made us more connected to information, and each other?
• Digital Engagement: What is digital engagement, who do we engage with, and how is it recorded?
• AI, ethics and us: How does the rise of AI affect us and our lives in the digital society?
• The Internet of Things: What is it and what does it mean for you?
• Critical analysis in a digital world: Why is critical analysis important in the digital society and how can you develop your critical skills?
• Reflecting on your employability for a digital future: How do changing skills/society affect your future employability?

Digital Society runs in Semester 2 and is worth 10 credits. The course start date is 27 January 2025, and registration is open until 10 February 2025.

Find out more and sign up

To find out more and sign up, visit the UCIL website:

You can also read more about the course topics and delivery on the .

Unfunded monograph authors from any University faculty can enter the Library鈥檚 Open Access (OA) monograph competition 2024/25, as long as they will soon be publishing a monograph or published one on or after 1 October 2023. 

Winners will receive funding from the Library to make their monographs OA. The Library will arrange this directly with the winners鈥� publishers.  

How to enter  

To enter, please provide a short response to the following questions:  

• What is the expected reach of your monograph?  
• What are the benefits of your book being OA for your intended audience, and The University of Manchester?  
• How does your monograph contribute to research in your field?  
• Given limited resources, are there any other reasons to fund OA for your monograph that we should take into account?  

Please submit your answers through this by Friday, 31 January 2025.  

We would particularly welcome entries from authors publishing with fully open access book publishers.  

After the closing date, entries will be judged by a representative panel led by Professor James Evans, Associate Dean for 天美影视 in Humanities. Go to for details of the winners from last year鈥檚 competition.  

The Library鈥檚 Open Access Team will contact successful applicants in early April 2025. 

If you have a question about the competition, please contact libraryresearch@manchester.ac.uk

• access workshops and online resources for revision, exam and assessment support;
• speak to Library staff via our Library drop-in support;
• get wellbeing support by accessing helpful resources and workshops via the Counselling and Student Service.

To find out more about how the Library can help you, visit our exam and assessment support page: 

It鈥檚 a chance for you to have your say and tell us about your experience of using the Library. Your feedback is important as it helps us improve our facilities and services. 

Take our short  

In return for your feedback, you鈥檒l be in with a chance of winning one of three 拢100 Amazon vouchers. Prize draws will take place on Tuesday, 12 November, Tuesday, 19 November and Tuesday, 26 November. All completed surveys will be entered in each prize draw so the earlier you complete the survey, the more chance you have of winning. 

The survey closes on 25 November.

In this exhibition, you will find objects relating to some of the spaces and places that our students have inhabited over the past 200 years. 

The items in the exhibition are drawn from across the Library鈥檚 Special Collections, in particular The University of Manchester Archives and the Map Collection. They provide insights into the development of our University campus, of different attitudes towards race and gender, and of new ways of student living. They contain stories of innovation, struggle, connection, protest and belonging expressed by our University community. Together, they form an important part of the story of Manchester鈥檚 changing cultural and physical landscape. 

You are Here! runs from 30 October to February 2025, at Blue Ground in Main Library. Free entry. 

This interactive guide will support students in understanding what is meant by Academic Integrity and how it interacts with their studies. 

Students will find advice and resources on how to clearly present their own understanding of concepts, consider tools and strategies (including those involving Generative Artificial Intelligence) and examine how to avoid key forms of academic malpractice.

Commissioned by The University of Manchester鈥檚 Teaching and Learning Strategy Group (TLSG), the creation of this guide ran as a cross-university project which involved the Library鈥檚 Teaching, Learning and Students Team consulting with staff from across the University to ensure it reflected the needs of students and staff at our institution.

Find out more

Our science collections have been supplemented by the addition of the Royal Society Journals Archive, collection, further CABI Digital Library collections and health journal backfiles from Elsevier. These resources will significantly improve the consistency of access to high-quality research materials for our researchers.

New content has been added to our collections and ensuring these key arts resources remain current. We are also pleased to introduce new collections supporting the University鈥檚 commitment to social responsibility: the wide-ranging and the .

In our Special Collections, exciting new additions include the 20th century Alick E. Glennie Archive (Computing) and material to help re-unite a 13th century illuminated manuscript on vellum ('Three Historiated Initials from the Psalter of Joan of Navarre'). The contrast in age and physical format of these purchases further highlights the historical range and breadth of resources at the Rylands.

Further information will be available soon. In the meantime, you can explore our collections via and . 

A joint project with ProQuest has recently been completed, digitising over 22,000 University of Manchester and former UMIST doctoral theses. The vast collection forms a valuable body of doctoral research, covering a broad range of subjects, with an emphasis on medicine, materials science, chemistry and engineering. 

Six year digitisation project

This was a complex project, taking over six years to complete, that involved several teams from across the Library and external providers.

Doctoral theses were not being utilised to their full potential as valuable research resources. However, through full-text digitisation and improved metadata and indexing, we have brought together the University鈥檚 entire collection of doctoral theses to be discoverable and accessible via and external databases including and . 天美影视ers worldwide can now access this content instantly. Previously, the collection was only available for reference and limited to those who could visit the Library or could pay a one-time digitisation fee.

Access the theses

Full-text access to high quality OCR鈥檇 downloadable PDFs can be found via or through the database. 

The Library subject guides have been redeveloped for the new academic year and are a perfect place to start exploring what is on offer from the Library with regards to your subject. 

Use the guides to find relevant books, journals and databases as well as unique items from our Special Collections. You can also find relevant online learning resources and details of upcoming workshops.

Be sure to bookmark your subject guide for up-to-date information on new and existing resources. 

• Visit the to browse the range of Library Subject Guides on offer.

• My Learning Essentials: Our flagship skills programme, aimed at all levels, provides a selection of workshops and online training resources to support your academic skills, study strategies and wellbeing.
• My 天美影视 Essentials: Designed to support researchers at all stages, our researcher programme provides workshops and online resources focused on raising your research profile, dissemination of research, open research, publishing insights and dedicated writing time.  
• Specialist Library Support: Access expert support in specialist areas such as copyright, referencing, advanced searching, systematic reviews and business data.  

Got a question? Come along to our regular drop-in support sessions. Our friendly Library experts are on hand to guide you on any aspects of using our resources and services.

Roving service

The Library's Roving Service will run from Monday, the 16th September 2024, to Friday, the 31st January 2025. Our Customer Services Team and Library Student Team will be available at the Main Library and AGLC floors from Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to assist with any questions you may have about the Library.

For details of all our training and support please visit the Library website:

Contact us or speak directly to a member of the Library team via Library Chat:

Embedding Training and Support in your Programme 

The Library can work with staff to embed training and support within your programme. For further information and to request support see: 

For further help on Library support for your teaching and/or research contact your dedicated .

On 24 September 2024, the Main Library hosted a ceremony for representatives of the , following their generous donation of the English and Mandarin language versions of their .

About the ceremony

The Fo Guang Shan party, which included Venerable members of the Stretford-based temple, and the Manchester Chapter President of the Buddha鈥檚 Light International Association (BLIA), alongside PhD student, Jiyao Sun, were received by Deputy University Librarian and Associate Director: Education, Experience and Strategic Insights, Katy Woolfenden.

Joining Katy in the ceremony were Collection Care Manager, Elisabeth Carr; Engagement Librarian, Ruili Zhang and Dr Gregory Scott, Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies.

Following introductions, a series of short talks was given by both parties. The formal aspect of the ceremony concluded with photographs, leaving time for refreshments and a lively discussion. The Library has since received very positive feedback from the temple, with a further visit to the John Rylands 天美影视 Institute and Library already proposed.

Celebrating a new cross-team collaboration

Not only was the event an enjoyable celebration of a new relationship with the local community, but it also represented a successful cross-team and directorate collaboration between Collection Development and Management, Stock Operations, Executive Office, and Engagement, with continued support from Chinese Studies and invaluable advice from Collections Care and the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Centre.

Our Library is an importance place for everyone at the University. You can help us keep it clean and free of pests by doing a few simple things:

• Please tidy up and take any litter with you when you leave your study area.
• Only eat cold food in the Library. Hot food is only in the Cosy Campus spaces in Main Library and AGLC.
• Use containers with lids for your food and remember to clean up any leftovers when you're finished.
• Make sure to use the food waste bins in the Cosy Campus kitchens. Please don't throw food waste in the General Waste or recycling bins in the study areas and kitchens.

To keep our study areas tidy, from Tuesday, 1 October, any food left on desks will be removed by staff.

Thank you for your help and understanding!

This provides information on:

• how to access our books, journals and databases to help with your studies;
• our free training workshops designed to help you build the personal and academic skills you need to succeed;
• the study spaces available to you on campus;
• how to set up your IT account.

Make sure you also check out our so you can join tours and information sessions. 

If you have any questions, you can visit any of our Library sites and chat to our friendly staff about how the Library can support you.

• A new Cosy Campus space at the entrance, featuring a kitchenette with four microwaves and a dedicated seating area.
• A deep clean of existing furniture and replacement of older furniture.
• Upgraded hardware, including desktop PCs, new printers and audio-visual facilities in group study rooms.
• Upgraded software applications on PCs and loanable laptops.
• A dedicated service for all student enquiries including access, digital support and appointments.

Library staff are available to assist and support students.