Manchester Central Library has launched a free self-guided audio tour of the library to coincide with the celebrations for its 90th Anniversary year.
The audio tour invites members of the public to journey across every floor of the library and discover secrets from its 90 year history, as well as its vibrant present use.
The tour features 12 staff from the Central Library narrating information, past and present, about different aspects of the library.
Seventeen locations are denoted with an orange “bus stop” forming a trail around all floors and all corners of the library.
Each location has a QR code that enables visitors to scan with their phone and hear expert staff unlock history facts and more about each significant location in a short audio clip.
Councillor John Hacking , Executive Member for Employment, Skills and Leisure said:
"Central Library has a rich history, past and present, and this audio tour is full of fascinating and interesting information. It will be of interest to visitors as well regular library goers who will be treated to nuggets of details on the library's past.
It's another reason for the wonderful Central Library to be on all visitors must-see list. I would like to thank the staff who have taken part, they have so much knowledge, expertise and love for this building, so who better to voice the audio clips."
The tour begins with an introduction in Shakespeare Hall, with audio stops across all floors of the library:For those wanting to hear the full trail in sequence, listeners can tune in to the playlist here:
https://soundcloud.com/mcr-central-library/sets/90th-anniversary-audio-tour
Introduction (Ground Floor)
Shakespeare Hall (Ground Floor)
The Reading Girl (Ground Floor Stairs)
Exhibition Hall (1st Floor)
Henry Watson Music Library (1st Floor)
Wolfson Reading Room (1st Floor)
Second Floor & Business & IP Centre (2nd Floor)
Third Floor & Chief Librarians Office (3rd Floor)
4th Floor View Of The Dome (4th Floor)
Reference Library (4th Floor)
The City Library (Lower Ground Floor)
The Children’s Library (Lower Ground Floor)
Archives + and Film Pods (Ground Floor)
The Historic Stack (Ground Floor)
Manchester Visitor Information Centre (Ground Floor)
Peterloo Memorial / Library Walk (Ground Floor)