Portico Library

About

One of Manchester’s longest-running institutions, the Portico is a subscription library and newsroom whose historic collection of over 25,000 books and archives spans over 450 years. Previously a members’ only institution with associates including John Dalton, Peter Mark Roget, Elizabeth Gaskell, Emmeline Pankhurst, Robert Peel, Val McDermid and Eric Cantona. Today, everyone is welcome to enjoy our free exhibitions; take part in our events and workshops; dine in our cafe; discover our history; and immerse themselves in our beautiful Regency-period building. As an independent library and registered charity, we are proud to host a diverse range of outreach and engagement programmes including the prestigious Portico Prize and Portico Sadie Massey Awards. We are open Monday to Saturdays so please join us in celebrating Manchester’s literary heritage.